What is anthrax?

Anthrax is a rare infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It can occur in wild and domestic hoofed animals, especially cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and antelopes. It can also occur in humans when they are exposed to the bacterium. There are three forms of anthrax infection: cutaneous (skin), inhalation (lungs), and gastrointestinal (stomach and intestine). If people have been intentionally exposed, as in a bioterrorist release, breathing in the spores or contact with skin would be the most likely routes of exposure.

How common is anthrax and who can get it?

Anthrax can be found globally. It is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. It is more common in developing countries or countries without veterinary public health programs. Anthrax is reported more often in some regions of the world (South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East) than in others and is extremely rare in the United States. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. However, anthrax is considered to be one of a number of potential agents for use in biological terrorism.

How is anthrax spread?

Getting anthrax from another person is very rare. Anthrax is generally spread through the following three methods:

• Skin (cutaneous) - Most anthrax infections occur when people touch contaminated animal products like wool, bone, hair, and hide. The infection occurs when the bacteria enters a cut or scratch in the skin.
• Inhalation - Some anthrax infections occur when people breathe in the spores of he bacteria (a spore is the form that certain bacteria take in unfavorable growing conditions. When in better conditions, like the human lung, the bacteria will begin to grow and cause disease).
• Gastrointestinal - Some people may get anthrax by eating infected meat.

What are the symptoms of anthrax?

• Skin (cutaneous) - First, the exposed skin itches. Then, a large boil-like sore appears. The sore becomes a black scab. If not treated, the infection can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream.
• Inhalation - First, people have cold or flu-type symptoms. These symptoms can get worse, result in serious breathing problems, and cause some people to stop breathing.
• Gatrointestinal - People may have fever; pain in their abdomen; loose, watery bowel movements; and blood in their vomitus.

How soon after exposure would symptoms develop?

Symptoms develop between one and seven days after exposure but prolonged periods up to 60 days are possible.

What is cutaneous anthrax?

An uncommon cutaneous (skin) infection due to a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) that is found in the environment and typically causes illness in animals. Cutaneous (skin) anthrax is marked by a boil-like lesion that eventually forms an ulcer with a black center.

How is cutaneous anthrax contracted?

The infection occurs when the bacteria enter a cut or scratch in the skin. Most cutaneous anthrax infections occur when people touch animal products (like wool, bone, hair, and hide) that come from an animal that died of anthrax.

Can cutaneous anthrax be spread from person to person?

If you develop cutaneous anthrax, the drainage from the open sore presents a low risk of infection to others. The only way cutaneous anthrax can be transmitted is by direct contact with the drainage from an open sore. Cutaneous anthrax is not spread from person to person by casual contact, sharing office space or by coughing and sneezing.

How is cutaneous anthrax treated?

The cutaneous form of anthrax responds well to several antibiotics. The United States has a large supply of these antibiotics and can quickly manufacture more if needed. With treatment, complete recovery from cutaneous anthrax is usual.

How is cutaneous anthrax diagnosed?

Cutaneous anthrax is diagnosed when the Bacillus anthracis bacterium is found in the skin lesion by a laboratory culture. It can also be diagnosed by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of persons who are suspected of having infection.

Can I die from cutaneous anthrax?

Cutaneous anthrax is not usually fatal. If treated with appropriate antibiotics, most individuals make a full recovery.

Revised: June 2002