A Texas man has been hospitalized after contracting a rare and ancient disease from consuming contaminated lamb.
The man believed to be in his 50s, encountered a dead lamb while patrolling his property on Christmas Eve. Unaware of the potential danger, he decided to butcher and cook the animal.
Unfortunately, his decision resulted in devastating consequences. While he and five others enjoyed the dish, only the rancher fell ill.
Eleven days after consuming the lamb, he sought medical attention at a US hospital due to symptoms including fever, a high white blood cell count, and unusual skin conditions such as blistered lesions and a black eschar on his wrist.
Doctors treated him with antibiotics, and after a week of recovery, he was discharged.
However, upon returning home, he made a shocking discovery: two more animals on his farm had also perished.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stepped in to investigate the perplexing case.
Tests confirmed that the rancher had contracted anthrax, a severe illness caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
Anthrax primarily affects livestock and wild game, but humans can become infected through direct or indirect contact with infected animals.
The CDC highlighted the importance of caution, advising against the consumption of dead animals regardless of the circumstances.
They emphasized that processing animals that die suddenly from unknown causes should be avoided to prevent potential risks. The source of the anthrax infection in the lamb, however, remains unknown.
These symptoms vary but often include swollen lymph glands, itchy black lumps on the skin, significant swelling, and flu-like feelings.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for successful recovery from this rare disease.
While anthrax is more commonly found in regions such as Africa and southern Asia, vulnerable individuals in the United States are advised to receive dedicated vaccinations.
Farmers, livestock workers, and military personnel are particularly encouraged to take precautions.
The unidentified man visited a local restaurant in Galveston, Texas, and was hospitalized two days later. Regrettably, he did not recover and succumbed to a bacterial infection over the Labor Day weekend.
While the name of the restaurant has not been disclosed, an investigation is currently underway.
Dr. Philip Keiser, the Galveston County Local Health Authority, revealed that the man had underlying health issues and was more susceptible to infections.
The man already had health issues like liver problems and a weakened immune system due to medication. This made him more susceptible to a severe infection from Vibrio vulnificus.
It is rare for someone to die from Vibrio vulnificus, as only 100 out of approximately 80,000 people who contract the infection in the US each year suffer fatal consequences.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most Vibrio infections from oysters result in diarrhea and vomiting.
However, in severe cases, it can lead to bloodstream infections and severe skin lesions characterized by blistering.
Symptoms of an infection, such as abdominal cramping, fever, and chills, typically appear within 24 hours of consuming the contaminated oysters.
