Anthrax. Epidemiologic study of the disease in France.

Objective - This study had for an aim to determine whether the epidemiologi c characteristics of the animal and human anthrax noted in France between 1 980 and 2000 and explains the re-emergence of the disease since 1980. Mater ial and methods - A retrospective study of the animals outbreaks and human cases and contamination. Results - A total of 114 animals outbreaks were re corded between 1980 and 2000 and 44 between 1997 and 2000. Thus indicate an increase in animal cases. The human cases or contaminations are associated with animals disease, except three cases more difficult to explain. Severa l factors are changed : the protective inoculation is not used, the contami nated soils are forgotten, and the disease also. Anthrax is more described in bovine breeding. The cutaneous forms are the most found in the human cas es. Comments - Since 1980 several factors in the epidemiology of animals di seases had changed. It's necessary to increase one's vigilance, for animals cases and human contamination. It's necessary to develop again the animals vaccinations and veterinary supervision. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques e t medicales Elsevier SAS.