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Anthrax FAQ's

Q. What is Anthrax?

A. Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in hoofed mammals and can also infect humans.
The skin form of the disease is contracted by handling contaminated hair, wool, hides, flesh, blood or excreta of infected animals and from manufactured products such as bone meal. Infection is introduced through scratches or abrasions of the skin, wounds, inhalation of spores, eating insufficiently cooked infected meat or from flies. The spores are very stable and may remain viable for many years in soil and water. They will resist sunlight for varying periods. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another person.

Q. What are the symptoms of Anthrax?

A. According to the CDC, symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but usually occur within 7 days after exposure. The serious forms of human Anthrax are inhalation anthrax, cutaneous anthrax, and intestinal anthrax.

Initial symptoms of inhalation Anthrax infection may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation Anthrax is often fatal.

Cutaneous anthrax occurs following the deposition of the organism into skin with previous cuts or abrasions especially susceptible to infection. After the spore germinates in skin tissues, toxin production results in local edema. An initially pruritic macule or papule enlarges into a round ulcer by the second day.

The intestinal disease form of Anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated food and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea.

Q. How is Anthrax diagnosed?

A. Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating the bacteria from blood, other body fluids or skin lesions or by measuring specific antibodies late in the course of the disease.

Q. What does the bacteria do to the body?

A. The disease occurs when spores enter lungs, migrate to the lymph nodes, change to the bacterial form, multiply, and produce toxins. These toxins cause bleeding and destruction of structures in the middle of the chest (medical term: hemorrhagic necrotizing mediastinitis).

Q. Can Anthrax be treated?

A. The CDC states that Anthrax infection can be prevented with antibiotic treatment. Early antibiotic treatment of Anthrax is essential-delay lessens chances for survival. Anthrax usually is susceptible to penicillin, doxycycline, and fluoroquinolones. An Anthrax vaccine also can prevent infection. Vaccination against Anthrax is not recommended for the general public to prevent disease and is not available.

For more information regarding Anthrax precautions and personal protective equipment, click on the following links:

Anthrax Awareness and Precautions
Anthrax Exposure and Personal Protective Equipment
Center for Disease Control (CDC)

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