ANTHRAX (Bacillus anthracis) FACT SHEET

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.  Anthrax most commonly occurs in warm-blooded, hoofed animals and can also infect humans.

How do we contract anthrax infection?

Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal.  B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products or aerosolized release of anthrax spores.  Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.  It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.

What are the symptoms of anthrax disease?

Symptoms of anthrax disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but usually occur within 7 days after exposure.  Cutaneous anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin 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 with a black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Initial symptoms of inhalation anthrax may resemble a common cold.  After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock.  Intestinal anthrax is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract.  Initial signs include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and fever, followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea.

Can anthrax disease be treated?

Early treatment with antibiotics is essential.  Delay in treatment may lessen the chance of survival.  Anthrax is usually susceptible to penicillin, doxycycline and fluoroquinolones.

Can anthrax disease be spread from person-to-person?

NO, direct person-to-person spread of anthrax infection is extremely unlikely, if it occurs at all. Therefore, there is no need to treat contacts of persons ill with anthrax such as household contacts, friends or co-workers, unless they were also exposed to the same source of infection.

Is there a vaccine for anthrax?

There is an anthrax vaccine licensed for use in the United States, but it is not available commercially except to members of the military.  At this time public health officials do not recommend routine vaccination of the general public. 

How do I protect myself if I am exposed to anthrax?

Persons exposed to anthrax spores can prevent infection with antibiotic treatment.  To be effective, treatment should be initiated early.