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Anthrax
By peace | November 29, 2006
Anthrax is mainly a disease of animals. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic animals including cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores, but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.
Anthrax is an infection caused by a bacterium (a type of germ) called Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis). Although it’s most commonly seen in grazing animals like sheep, pigs, cattle, horses, and goats, anthrax can also occur in humans — although it’s very rare.
Anthrax is found worldwide but is most common in areas where people raise livestock and where public health programs are lax. Materials contaminated with anthrax spores can reach any country in the world.
In the environment, the anthrax-causing bacterium forms spores (a version of the germ covered by a hard protective shell) that can live in the soil for years. People can become infected by coming into contact with these spores through a break in the skin (such as a cut or scrape), by eating food (usually undercooked meat) contaminated by them, or by inhaling spores (breathing them into the lungs). But anthrax is not contagious, which means that it can’t spread from person to person. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products.
It’s extremely unlikely that you or someone you know could get anthrax. In fact, there are usually only one or two reported cases of anthrax per year. Most of these have been in people who work with animals or animal products.
Signs & Symptoms Of Anthrax
Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within 7 days. Once exposure to anthrax has been identified, timely medical treatment of the exposed individuals is recommended as the bacteria can be fatal.
Cutaneous: Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.
Who is at risk for anthrax?
When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to a work-related exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from countries where anthrax is common can become infected.
There is little risk to most U.S. travelers to other countries. The greatest risk comes from handling rugs and handicrafts made from goat skin or goat hair. Spores can live indefinitely in wool, blankets, and other animal products.
Anthrax can be found globally. It is more common in developing countries or countries without veterinary public health programs. Certain regions of the world (South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East) report more anthrax in animals than others.
Why Are People So Concerned About Anthrax?
Anthrax that occurs naturally in the environment isn’t a huge threat. But B. anthracis can be grown in a laboratory and some people are worried about anthrax germs being grown as a weapon.
The issue of laboratory-grown B. anthracis received lots of attention in 2001 after an anthrax outbreak in the United States. The outbreak scared a lot of people, in part because five people died (which is very rare) and also because the outbreak coincided with the September 11 terrorist attacks. However, bioterrorism experts believe that it is technologically difficult to use anthrax effectively as a weapon on a large scale.
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