Anthrax
BIOTERRORISM FACT SHEET
What is anthrax? How do you get anthrax?
Anthrax is a disease caused by a kind of bacteria. It When it’s outside the body, anthrax bacteria form a
can make you ill in several different ways, depending hard, protective coating called a spore. In its spore
on how you’re exposed to it. It can cause a skin form, anthrax is hard to kill. Spores are naturally
infection, or a severe digestive illness that resembles present in soil, where they can survive for many
“food poisoning.” Another form of the disease – years. Animals like cattle, sheep, horses and goats
“inhalation” anthrax – results when you breathe in can get the illness if they come in contact with
the bacteria. Symptoms usually show up within anthrax in the soil.
seven days (typically two to five days) after you’re Humans can get anthrax through contact with
exposed. Symptoms depend on the form the disease infected animals, by handling wool and other
takes: products from infected animals, or by eating meat
▪ Cutaneous (skin) anthrax begins as a raised bump from an infected animal. Naturally- occurring cases
on the skin. Within one or two days, it becomes a of human anthrax are rare in the U.S.
blister, and then a painless ulcer, with a black area During the anthrax attacks of 2001, people got both
in the center. Lymph glands near the wound may inhalation and skin anthrax from handling
become swollen. Skin anthrax is easily treated deliberately contaminated mail. There is also
with antibiotics. concern that the bacteria could be released into the
▪ Intestinal anthrax is very rare. It begins with air in a place where a large number of people are
nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever. present. The result could be many cases of
Those symptoms are followed by abdominal pain, inhalation anthrax.
vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Early
antibiotic treatment is important if you have Can you get it from other people?
intestinal anthrax. NO! You can only get it by inhaling the spores, eating
▪ Inhalation anthrax begins with flu-like symptoms contaminated meat, or having the spores come in
(cough, fever, muscle aches). These symptoms contact with your skin. People with anthrax are not
may last two to three days, and then appear to go capable of infecting others.
away for one or two days. Then the illness can
come back, resulting in severe lung problems, Why is it considered a possible terror
difficulty breathing, and shock. Unless it’s treated, weapon?
inhalation anthrax can be very dangerous – it’s
Anthrax has already been used as a weapon in the
fatal in up to 90 percent of cases. With treatment,
attacks of October 2001, which used contaminated
during the anthrax attacks of 2001, the death rate
mail to spread anthrax spores. Twenty-two persons
was about 40 percent.
were diagnosed with anthrax and five persons died.
It is also known that both the U.S. and the former
Soviet Union have explored the use of anthrax as a
weapon. It is believed that other countries may now
be continuing those efforts.
ANTHRAX FACT SHEET
Anthrax has several of the traits that the U.S. Should I keep some antibiotics on hand
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – just in case?
uses to identify possible bioterrorism weapons:
NO! Giving yourself antibiotics can be harmful.
▪ Even though it can’t be passed from person to
Antibiotics can have serious side effects – especially
person, it’s still easy to spread.
for pregnant women, children, and people with
▪ It could have a large impact on human health,
antibiotic allergies. Overuse of antibiotics can also
including a high death rate.
help to breed “super bugs” – bacteria that can no
▪ It could cause widespread panic and social
longer be treated with antibiotics.
disruption.
▪ Special measures are necessary to prepare for a Public health agencies, hospitals, and clinics
possible anthrax attack. throughout Minnesota are constantly on the alert
for any kind of unusual disease activity – including a
It is also known that both the U.S. and the former
possible anthrax attack. If an anthrax attack were
Soviet Union have explored the use of anthrax as a
ever detected, the Minnesota Department of Health
weapon. It is believed that other countries may now and local health departments would move quickly.
be continuing those efforts. They would take steps to identify people who may
Anthrax has several of the traits that the U.S. have been exposed – and make sure they get
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) antibiotics.
uses to identify possible bioterrorism weapons:
▪ Even though it can’t be passed from person to Is there a test for anthrax – or anthrax
person, it’s still easy to spread. exposure?
▪ It could have a large impact on human health,
including a high death rate. Inhalation anthrax is usually detected by looking for
▪ It could cause widespread panic and social anthrax bacteria in the blood, or in fluid from the
disruption. lungs or breathing passages. Skin anthrax is
diagnosed by testing or looking at the skin.
▪ Special measures are necessary to prepare for a
possible anthrax attack. There is no test that can tell you if you’ve been
exposed to anthrax.
Can anthrax be treated?
All forms of anthrax can be treated with antibiotics.
What should I do if I think I may have
It’s important to start treatment as soon as possible.
It may be possible to prevent the disease if exposed
been exposed to anthrax?
people begin treatment soon enough. If you have concerns about suspicious activity,
contact your local law enforcement officials. There’s
Can anthrax be prevented? no way to know for sure if you’ve been exposed to
anthrax. But if you believe you may have been
Early treatment with antibiotics, for people who may
exposed – or you have any other health concerns –
have been exposed to anthrax, is the best preventive
talk to your doctor. And if you are simply feeling very
measure.
depressed or anxious about the possibility of a
There is also a vaccine for anthrax, which is used by bioterrorism attack, think about talking to a mental
the military. It takes six shots to provide protection, health professional.
followed by a yearly booster. However, supplies of
the vaccine are limited, and it isn’t available to
civilian doctors. Like any vaccine, it carries some
risks. There is also no way to know when or where
limited supplies of the vaccine might be needed to
respond to an attack. For those reasons, vaccination
of the general public is not currently recommended.
Minnesota Department of Health
651-201-5414 | www.health.state.mn.us 5/5/2006
