Table 1 Description of symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention methods for anthrax, brucellosis, and rabies in humans

Anthrax

Small blisters or itchy bumps;

Painless ulcer after blister;

High fever/chills;

Chest pain;

Cough;

Headache;

Confusion/dizziness;

Fatigue;

Aches;

Diarrhea;

Stomach pain/swelling

Inhalation of dust from animal hide or hair

Consumption of undercooked, infected meat;

Skin to open wound contact

Seek medical care as quickly as possible;

Antibiotics are routine treatment

Do not consume undercooked meat;

Do not touch animal carcasses;

Vaccines for humans and animals available

Anthrax scoring (max. of 10 points)

0 = 0 points

1–2 correct = 1 point

3 or above correct = 2 points

Observed in humans or animals:

None = 0 points

Humans = 1 point

Animals = 1 point

Both = 2 points

0 = 0 points

1–2 correct = 1 point

3 or above correct = 2 points

0 = 0 points

1 correct = 1 point

Seek professional help:

Yes = 1 point

No = 0 points

None = 0 points

1 correct = 1 point

Brucellosis

Fever of unknown origin;

Nonspecific and assorted symptoms such as: sweats, weight loss, depression, arthralgias, fatigue, malaise;

Can occur in any organ system of the body

Consuming unpasteurized milk or meat from infected animals;

Direct contact with secretions of infected animals;

Breathing in brucellosis bacteria

Seek immediate consultation from doctor;

Antibiotic treatment regime

Boiling milk before consumption;

Vaccination of livestock;

Protection from dead animal/livestock tissue

Brucellosis scoring (max. of 10 points)

0 = 0 points

1–2 correct = 1 point

3 or above correct = 2 points

Observed in humans or animals:

None = 0 points

Humans = 1 point

Animals = 1 point

Both = 2 points

0 = 0 points

1 correct = 1 point

2 or above correct = 2 points

0 = 0 points

1 correct = 1 point

Seek professional help

Yes = 1 point

No = 0 points

None = 0 points

1 correct = 1 point

2 or above correct = 2 points

Rabies

Flu-like symptoms;

Fever;

Headache;

Fatigue/weakness;

Acute neurologic syndrome;

Coma

Rabies Virus;

In almost all cases virus is transmitted via bite of infected animal

Post exposure vaccines;

Immune globulin

Vaccination of domestic pets;

No direct contact/handling of wild animals

Rabies scoring (max. of 8 points)

0–1 = 0 points

2+ correct = 1 point

Observed in Humans or Animals:

None = 0 points

Humans = 1 point

Animals = 1 point

Both = 2 points

Contact with infected animal = 1 point

Human: seek professional treatment = 1 point

Animal: kill infected animal = 1 point

Vaccination or no contact with (infected/symptomatic) animals = 1 point