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Anthrax is an infection caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis.
Anthrax commonly occurs in animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, goats,
camels and antelopes, but it can also occur in humans who are exposed to animals
or tissues of infected animals or to Bacillus anthracis spores (a version
of the bacterium in a hard shell).
Anthrax can be found worldwide, but it is much more common in developing
countries or countries without veterinary public health programs, including
South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the
Caribbean and the Middle East.
Why was anthrax prominent in the news?
Anthrax was prominent in the news because anthrax spores have been used in acts
of bioterrorism. Even a very tiny amount of
the anthrax spores can be spread to humans and result in death. However, is highly unlikely that you or someone you know will
contract anthrax. Aside from the people who contracted anthrax from spores delivered
through the US mail in bioterrorist acts, there have been few cases of anthrax
infection reported in the United States.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
There are three types of anthrax infections:
Cutaneous (skin-derived) anthrax. Cutaneous anthrax
accounts for 95 percent of anthrax cases and occurs when the bacterium
enters a cut or abrasion on the skin. The infection typically occurs through
handling the wool, hide, leather, or hair of animals infected with anthrax.
The anthrax skin infection in humans begins as a raised itchy bump that
resembles an insect bite. Then, 1 to 2 days later, the bump develops into a
painless lesion or ulcer with a characteristic black area in the center. The
lymph glands in nearby area may swell. If left untreated, about 20 percent
of individuals with cutaneous anthrax die. However, deaths are rare with
appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Intestinal anthrax. Intestinal anthrax occurs after
eating contaminated meat and results in an acute inflammation of the
intestinal tract. Initial symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, and
fever followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhea.
Death occurs in 25 percent to 60 percent of individuals infected with
intestinal anthrax.
Inhalational anthrax. Inhalational anthrax is extremely
rare but can occur if someone breathes anthrax spores, which are kicked up
into the air by mail sorting machines or released through a bioterrorist
act. The anthrax spores are inhaled into the lungs. The initial symptoms may
be nonspecific cold, sore throat or flu (without the muscle aches) symptoms,
but after a few days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems
and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
It usually takes less than 7 days for symptoms of skin and intestinal anthrax
to appear. However, symptoms can appear as early as 48 hours after the lungs
have been exposed to anthrax spores.
Can anthrax be spread from person to person?
No. Anthrax is not a contagious disease. It cannot be spread from
person-to-person.
How is anthrax diagnosed?
Anthrax is definitively diagnosed by isolating the bacterium, Bacillus
anthracis, from the blood, skin lesions, or cerebrospinal fluid.
How is anthrax infection treated?
Several different antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin (known by the brand
name Cipro) and doxycycline (known by the brand names Doryx, Vibramycin and
others) can kill Bacillus anthracis if diagnosed early. Cutaneous anthrax
is often caught in an early stage because of its telltale signs. However,
inhalation anthrax may be mistaken for other common illnesses
and therefore is often not diagnosed until severe symptoms appear. At this
stage, antibiotic treatment is ineffective. For this reason, researchers are
working on developing other effective treatments including combinations of
antibiotics and antibodies and gene-based therapies. An anthrax vaccine is
available for limited use in humans.
Who should receive the anthrax vaccine?
The vaccine is currently recommended for use by those at most risk for
occupational exposure to the bacteria, such as military personnel (due to
exposure as a biological warfare weapon), laboratory workers, livestock
handlers, veterinarians, and people who work with animal hides or furs imported
from areas of the world where the disease is common or who handle potentially
infected animal products from these areas.
Will the anthrax vaccine become more widely available to the public?
Health officials currently do not recommend the vaccine for general use by
the public because of the rarity of anthrax infection. In addition, the vaccine
can’t be practically given in response to a bioterrorism act due to its
prolonged administration schedule – the vaccine is given as six subcutaneous
injections over the course of 18 months. If diagnosed early, anthrax can be
successfully treated with antibiotics. Researchers are working to develop still
other treatment options to protect the public in the event of a bioterrorism
attack.
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