Mapping and Analysis of Anthrax Cases in Humans and Animals

Abstract

Anthrax is a rare but severe disease caused by the gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium Bacillus anthracis, a toxin-producing, encapsulated, facultative anaerobic organism. Anthrax occurs naturally in the soil and mainly affects livestock and wildlife. It can cause severe diseases in both humans and animals. Anthrax, an often-fatal animal disease, is spread to humans through contact with infected animals or their products. People become infected with anthrax when the spores enter the body. The study aims to localise and monitor anthrax on geographic maps and identify geographic variables significantly associated with environmental risk factors for anthrax recurrence in Georgia (Caucasus), as the geographic environment affects specific diseases, for example, soil and climate, etc. We carefully analysed 1,664 cases in humans and 621 in animals, up to 1,430 locations of anthrax foci in soil (animal burials, slaughterhouses, BP roads, construction, etc.). We analysed more than 30 geographic variables such as climate, topography, soil (soil type, chemical composition, acidity), landscape, etc. We have created several digital thematic maps and foci of anthrax distribution and detection. The discovered variable will help to monitor the foci of anthrax development.