Anthrax is endemic and enzootic in Georgia with cases being registered since 1881 with over 2000 foci identified. Since 2005, 439 laboratory confirmed and 211 probable human cases and 190 laboratory confirmed animal cases have been registered. A case-control study performed in 2012 by the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), National Food Agency (NFA) and the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) found the main transition routes for human cases are slaughtering diseased animals and handling raw meat without protective equipment. The primary source of infection for the animal anthrax cases is pastures contaminated with anthrax spores that stay viable for long periods of time. Prior to 2010, there was a lack of coordination of investigation, integration and sharing of data for anthrax and for other zoonotic diseases between the human and animal sides. Public health awareness campaigns were also not conducted prior to 2010.
One Health (OH) is the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines – working locally, nationally and globally – to attain optimal health of humans, animals and our environment. Since 2009, Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System (EIDSS) database and reporting system was launched in Georgia, that supports monitoring and prevention of diseases within One World-One Health concept by integrating veterinary, human and vector surveillance. When zoonotic disease cases are entered into EIDSS, there is an automatic notification of the case to the other Ministries involved. Once a case is confirmed, direct communication via phone call occurs between NFA and NCDC investigators. In 2010, the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia (MoLHSA) and Ministry of Agriculture signed a joint order about the regulation of the information exchange between the detection of the disease and mandated 2 the use of EIDSS by MoLHSA.