Anthrax Factsheet

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic animals (sheep, goats, cattle, camels, antelopes and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when exposure to the bacteria occurs. The form of anthrax causing infection is called the anthrax spore.

How is anthrax spread?

Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. Humans can become infected with anthrax after contact with infected animals or items contaminated with the bacteria, by eating contaminated under-cooked meat, or by inhaling anthrax spores.

What are the symptoms of antrax?

Symptoms of anthrax vary depending on the form of the disease.

Cutaneous anthrax: caused when anthrax spores come into direct contact with skin that has a cut or break in it. The illness begins within 1-7 days after exposure. Initially, a raised, itchy bump resembling an inset bite occurs. Within 1-2 days, a blister(s) develops that becomes a painless sore with a black center.

Gastrointestinal anthrax: caused by eating meat and/or food contaminated with anthrax spores. Symptoms appear 1-7 days after exposure. The illness is characterized as an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract (nausea, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting blood and severe, often bloody, diarrhea).

Inhalation anthrax: caused by inhaling anthrax spores into the lungs and is the most serious form of anthrax. Symptoms appear 1-6 days after infection but may occur up to 60 days post exposure. Initially, symptoms are described as cold and flu-like. After several days, symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems, shock and possibly death if no treatment is provided.

How is anthrax diagnosed?

Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions of the person with the illness. There is no useful screening test to determine if persons are infected with anthrax before they become ill.

What is the treatment for anthrax?

Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat persons diagnosed with anthrax as well as those persons exposed to the disease. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early.

Can I get a vaccination against anthrax?

Anthrax vaccination is not available for the general public. The U.S. has limited supplies of anthrax vaccine that are currently being used by the military.