University at Albany Prevention Research Center

ANTHRAX

Infectious Agent

Gram positive bacteria Bacillus Anthracis (B. Anthracis) and its Endospores.
More Information On Infectious Agent at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC

Clinical Symptoms

The different clinical syndromes caused by B. Anthracis are as follows
Inhalational Anthrax - First, people have flu-type symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, or cough. These symptoms can get worse, result in serious breathing problems, and cause some people to stop breathing.
Cutaneous/Skin Anthrax - 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.
Gastrointestinal Anthrax - People may have fever; pain in their abdomen; loose, watery bowel movements; and blood in their vomit.
Images at CIDRAP & CDC
More Information On Clinical Symptoms at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC

Epidemiology

Reservoir -

Soil (Organism exists in the endospore form) & Livestock/Other Herbivores who acquire it from consuming contaminated soil.

Modes of Transmission - Getting anthrax from another person is very rare. Anthrax is generally spread via 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 the 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 contaminated meat.

Incubation Period - Symptoms develop between one and seven days after exposure but prolonged periods up to 60 or more days are possible.
More Information On Epidemiology at CIDRAP & CDC

Anthrax as a Bioterrorism Agent

The most likely mechanisms in a bioterrorist attack are aerosol release of spores and deliberate contamination of food. 2 Outbreaks of weaponized anthrax have been reported - Sverdlovsk 1979 & US 2001.
More Information On Anthrax as a Bioterrorism Agent at CIDRAP & CDC

Prevention & Control

Persons exposed to anthrax spores via a bioterrorist act will be given antibiotics to prevent infection. These antibiotics include ciprofloxacin and doxycycline, which work equally well. There is a vaccine against anthrax, but it is not generally available, nor is it recommended except for those at high risk, such as laboratory scientists handling the bacterium, members of the armed forces and people known to have been exposed.
More Information on Prevention & Control at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC

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Laboratory Diagnosis at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC
Images at CDC
Treatment Information at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC

Additional Sources of Information

- Visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Anthrax Home Page
- Visit Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) for Anthrax Information


Category A Anthrax Botulism Plague Smallpox Tularemia Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Category B Brucellosis Glanders Melioidosis Psittacosis Q Fever Typhus Fever Viral Encephalitis Toxins Food Safety Water Safety Category C Nipah Hanta Virus Other Important Zoonotic Diseases Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Rift Valley Fever Virus Handra Virus West Nile Fever	ANTHRAX Infectious Agent Gram positive bacteria Bacillus Anthracis (B. Anthracis) and its Endospores. More Information On Infectious Agent at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC Clinical Symptoms The different clinical syndromes caused by B. Anthracis are as follows Inhalational Anthrax - First, people have flu-type symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, or cough. These symptoms can get worse, result in serious breathing problems, and cause some people to stop breathing. Cutaneous/Skin Anthrax - 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. Gastrointestinal Anthrax - People may have fever; pain in their abdomen; loose, watery bowel movements; and blood in their vomit. Images at CIDRAP & CDC More Information On Clinical Symptoms at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC Epidemiology Reservoir - Soil (Organism exists in the endospore form) & Livestock/Other Herbivores who acquire it from consuming contaminated soil. Modes of Transmission - Getting anthrax from another person is very rare. Anthrax is generally spread via 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 the 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 contaminated meat. Incubation Period - Symptoms develop between one and seven days after exposure but prolonged periods up to 60 or more days are possible. More Information On Epidemiology at CIDRAP & CDC Anthrax as a Bioterrorism Agent The most likely mechanisms in a bioterrorist attack are aerosol release of spores and deliberate contamination of food. 2 Outbreaks of weaponized anthrax have been reported - Sverdlovsk 1979 & US 2001. More Information On Anthrax as a Bioterrorism Agent at CIDRAP & CDC Prevention & Control Persons exposed to anthrax spores via a bioterrorist act will be given antibiotics to prevent infection. These antibiotics include ciprofloxacin and doxycycline, which work equally well. There is a vaccine against anthrax, but it is not generally available, nor is it recommended except for those at high risk, such as laboratory scientists handling the bacterium, members of the armed forces and people known to have been exposed. More Information on Prevention & Control at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC Click here for Information on Laboratory Diagnosis at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC Images at CDC Treatment Information at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC Additional Sources of Information - Visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Anthrax Home Page - Visit Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) for Anthrax Information
Created by the School of Public HealthUniversity at Albany Updated July 2004