Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. ² [www.cdc.gov] It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. ⁹ [www.cdc.gov] Symptoms begin between one day and two months after the infection is contracted. ¹ [www.cdc.gov] The skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often turns into a painless ulcer with a black center. ¹ [www.cdc.gov] The inhalation form presents with fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath. ¹ [www.cdc.gov] The intestinal form presents with diarrhea which may contain blood, abdominal pains, and nausea and vomiting. ¹ [www.cdc.gov] The injection form presents with fever and an abscess at the site of drug injection. ¹ [www.cdc.gov]
Anthrax is spread by contact with the bacterium's spores, which often appear in infectious animal products. ¹⁰ [www.cdc.gov] Contact is by breathing, eating, or through an area of broken skin. ¹⁰ [www.cdc.gov] It does not typically spread directly between people. ¹⁰ [www.cdc.gov] Risk factors include people who work with animals or animal products, travelers, postal workers, and military personnel. ³ [www.cdc.gov] Diagnosis can be confirmed based on finding antibodies or the toxin in the blood or by culture of a sample from the infected site. ⁴ [www.cdc.gov]
Anthrax vaccination is recommended for people who are at high risk of infection. ³ [www.cdc.gov] Immunizing animals against anthrax is recommended in areas where previous infections have occurred. ¹⁰ [www.cdc.gov] Two months of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and doxycycline after exposure can also prevent infection. ⁵ [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] If infection occurs treatment is with antibiotics and possibly antitoxin. ⁶ [www.cdc.gov] The type and number of antibiotics used depends on the type of infection. ⁵ [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] Antitoxin is recommended for those with widespread infection. ⁵ [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Though a rare disease, human anthrax, when it does occur, is most common in Africa and central and southern Asia. ¹¹ [www.who.int] It also occurs more regularly in Southern Europe than elsewhere on the continent, and is uncommon in Northern Europe and North America. ¹² [books.google.com] Globally, at least 2,000 cases occur a year with about two cases a year in the United States. ⁸ [books.google.com] ¹³ [web.archive.org] Skin infections represent more than 95% of cases. ⁷ [www.fda.gov] Without treatment, the risk of death from skin anthrax is 24%. ⁵ [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] For intestinal infection, the risk of death is 25 to 75%, while respiratory anthrax has a mortality of 50 to 80%, even with treatment. ⁵ [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] ⁷ [www.fda.gov] Until the 20th century, anthrax infections killed hundreds of thousands of people and animals each year. ¹⁴ [doi.org] Anthrax has been developed as a weapon by a number of countries. ⁷ [www.fda.gov] In plant-eating animals, infection occurs when they eat or breathe in the spores while grazing. ¹¹ [www.who.int] Carnivores may become infected by eating infected animals. ¹¹ [www.who.int]

More rnformation and advanced references can be found here:
- Anthrax Wikipedia Article [en.wikipedia.org]
and here:
- Bacillus Anthracis Wikipedia Article [en.wikipedia.org]