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Diseases A-Z
Anthrax 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 animals, but can also infect humans.
How common is anthrax and who can get it?
Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals, such as livestock and other herbivores such as deer and antelope. These include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products (industrial anthrax) from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with B. anthracis. Anthrax in animals rarely occurs in the United States. Most reports of animal infection are received from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Dakota, but it is rare to find infected animals in the U.S.
How is anthrax transmitted?
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 animal products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals, but this very rarely happens in the U.S. Anthrax is not spread by person-to-person contact.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within seven days.
Cutaneous: Most anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as 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, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy (antibiotics).
Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax usually results in death in 1-2 days after onset of the acute 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. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.
Where is anthrax usually found?
Although anthrax can be found globally, it is more often a risk in countries with less standardized and effective public health programs. Areas currently listed as high risk are South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
Can anthrax be spread from person-to-person?
Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax most likely does not occur.
How is anthrax diagnosed?
Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of suspected cases.
What about nasal swabs or blood tests?
There are no quick screening tests for anthrax disease. Nasal swabs and blood serum tests will not tell you if you have been exposed to anthrax. Only people with anthrax-like symptoms should be further tested.
What is the treatment for anthrax?
Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. Usually, penicillin is preferred, but erythromycin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol can also be used. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Should people take preventive antibiotics?
No. There have been no illnesses or deaths in Oregon from anthrax or other diseases that could be caused by bioterrorism. Public health officials do not recommend that doctors prescribe antibiotics. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to harmful side effects and development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Is there an anthrax vaccine for humans?
The anthrax vaccine for humans licensed for use in the United States is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it uses dead bacteria as opposed to live bacteria. Anthrax vaccine is indicated for individuals who come in contact in the workplace with imported animal hides, furs, bone meal, wool, animal hair (especially goat hair), and bristles; and for individuals engaged in diagnostic or investigational activities which may bring them into contact with anthrax spores. The vaccine is reported to be 93% effective in protecting against cutaneous anthrax. The anthrax vaccine was developed and is manufactured and distributed by the Michigan Biologic Products Institute, Lansing, Michigan. Anthrax vaccines intended for use in animals should not be used in humans.
Who should be vaccinated against anthrax?
Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biologic warfare, the Department of Defense recently announced that it will begin systematic vaccination of U.S. military personnel. Among civilians, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), recommends anthrax vaccine be given to individuals who come in contact in the workplace with imported animal hides, furs, bone meal, wool, animal hair (especially goat hair), and bristles; and for individuals engaged in diagnostic or investigational activities which may bring them into contact with anthrax spores. The vaccine should only be administered to healthy men and women from 18 to 65 years of age since investigations to date have been conducted exclusively in that population. Because it is not known whether the anthrax vaccine can cause fetal harm, pregnant women should not be vaccinated.
What is the protocol for anthrax vaccinations?
The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given two weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are required to maintain immunity.
Are there adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine?
Mild local reactions occur in 30% of recipients and consist of slight tenderness and redness at the injection site. A moderate local reaction can occur if the vaccine is given to anyone with a past history of anthrax infection. Severe local reactions are very infrequent and consist of extensive swelling of the forearm in addition to the local reaction. Systemic reactions occur in fewer than 0.2% of recipients and are characterized by flu-like symptoms.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/bacter/anthrax.htm
Issued by: The Oregon Health Services
Date: December, 1999
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