What is Anthrax
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans. Under the right conditions the bacteria can make spores, almost like a seed, which are quite durable and in themselves harmless. These spores can survive in the soil or in containers for years. When the spores are then placed in the proper conditions (such as a living animal), they become the active and dangerous bacteria.
Cutaneous infection Symptoms
Cutaneous: Most anthrax infections in the past have occurred when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, usually hands and forearms, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Opening a letter or package which is filled with spores could also cause such an infection. A boil-like fluid filled lesion appears which eventually forms an ulcer with a very dark, black center. Anthrax gets its name from the Greek word for "coal." A swelling of the lymph glands may also occur close to the skin infected area. Skin lesions can occasionally spread throughout the body causing serious illness and if untreated can cause death in 25% of cases.
Can Anthrax be spread person to person?
There are no reports of the disease spreading from person to person. It is therefore not "contagious."
How common is anthrax and who can get it?
Anthrax bacteria and infections are most common in agricultural regions where they occur in animals. The parts of the world where anthrax can be easily found include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Anthrax is also found in southern regions of the United States. In humans, the disease has been usually caused by occupational exposure of a handler's skin to infected animals or their products and generally is of the cutaneous form. Pulmonary anthrax is extremely rare. Anthrax of any type has not been reported in Massachusetts in over 30 years.
Inhalation symptoms
Initial symptoms Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble influenza with fever, fatigue, a dry cough, chest discomfort, and body aches. After a period of improvement from hours to days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems, and chest pain. Inhalation anthrax in over 80% of cases results in death several days after onset of the acute symptoms through the spread of the bacteria and toxins it produces. Actual infection of the lungs, pneumonia, does not generally occur. Intensive treatments unfortunately is ineffective when full symptoms are present.
What livestock typically get/have Anthrax?
Cattle, Bison, Sheep
How is anthrax spread?
Bacillus anthracis spores can live in the soil for decades. A person may become infected with anthrax by inhaling anthrax spores from soil (infectious dose is 8,000-50,000 spores) or by handling wool or hair from infected animals (which can cause skin exposures). Sores or cuts in skin increase the chance of getting infected with spores. Infection of the intestinal tract can occur by eating undercooked meat from diseased animals. Anthrax spores do not usually spread in the air or wind; they are heavy and settle quickly on ground surfaces.
Intestinal Symptoms
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.
Anthrax Diagnosis is done how?
Anthrax is diagnosed by getting bacteria from samples of blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions. Nasal swabs are being used to test individuals for possible exposure in the current cases of known anthrax attacks. However, the nasal swab test is not reliable and cannot rule-out nor diagnose anthrax. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is advising clinicians and the public not to seek these tests. In cases of known or highly suspicious anthrax exposure, public health and law enforcement officials are providing both testing and treatment guidelines and medications.
When do symptoms occur?
Symptoms of disease usually occur within 1-6 days with most cases occurring within 48 hours. Low doses of exposure can cause longer incubation periods for inhalation anthrax (up to 60 days).
Who can get the Anthrax Vaccine?
The anthrax vaccine licensed for human use in the United States is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means parts of dead bacteria are used as opposed to live bacteria. Currently, the vaccine is not FDA approved and stockpiled supplies are limited for use for essential military personnel.
Do not open the envelope or package. If already opened, put down and cover or place in a plastic bag if close by. Leave the room after turning off fans or ventilation (if possible), close the door. Do not touch anything until you wash your hands with soap and water (do not use bleach on your hands). Do not leave the area or let others enter the room.
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