Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by spores of the bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. The B. anthracis spores are highly resistant to inactivation and may be present in the soil, for example, for decades, occasionally infecting grazing animals that ingest the spores. Goats, sheep and cattle are examples of animals that may become infected. Human infection may occur by three routes of exposure to anthrax spores: cutaneous (through the skin), gastrointestinal (by ingestion), and pulmonary (inhalation). In North America, human cases of anthrax are infrequent. However, the United States military views anthrax as a potential biological terrorism threat because the spores are so resistant to destruction and can be easily spread by release in the air. The development of anthrax as a biological weapon by several foreign countries has been documented.

Anthrax can enter the human body through the intestines (ingestion), lungs (inhalation), or skin (cutaneous) and causes distinct clinical symptoms based on its site of entry. An infected human will generally be quarantined. However, anthrax does not usually spread from an infected human to a noninfected human. But if the disease is fatal the person’s body and its mass of anthrax bacilli becomes a potential source of infection to others and special precautions should be used to prevent further contamination. Unfortunately inhalation anthrax, if left untreated until obvious symptoms occur, will usually result in death, as treatment will have started too late.

Symptoms for anthrax

Fever (temperature greater than 100 degrees F). The fever may be accompanied by chills or night sweats.
Skin infection begins as a small, raised bump that might itch-similar to an insect or spider bite.
Cough, usually a non-productive cough, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches
Sore throat, followed by difficulty swallowing, enlarged lymph nodes, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal distress, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The infection may spread throughout the body in up to 20% of untreated cases.
A person with cutaneous anthrax will notice a small sore that develops into a painless ulcer with a black area in its center. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other areas of the body.

Causes of Anthrax

In fact, this accounts for over 95% of naturally occurring anthrax infections. Cutaneous anthrax infection may take place when someone handles animals or animal products (wool or other woven materials) that are contaminated with anthrax, or if someone handles materials that have been intentionally contaminated with anthrax.

The agent of anthrax is a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria look like large rods under the microscope. However, in the soil and other places, anthrax exists in a dormant form called spores. These spores are very hardy and difficult to destroy. The spores have been known to survive in the soil for as long as 48 years.

Anthrax may be used as a biological weapon or for bio-terrorism. In 2001, anthrax sent through the U.S. Postal Service infected 22 people; 7 survivors had confirmed cutaneous anthrax disease.

However, anthrax can be produced in laboratories and may be used as an agent of biological warfare. Anthrax is used in this manner because of the serious disease that results when the anthrax spores are inhaled. Inhaled anthrax often causes death if it's not treated in the early stages.