b) More commonly, anthrax is found in regions of the Caribbean, Southern and Eastern Europe, Central and Southern Asia, Central and South American, and some parts of Africa (CDC). 5. How is it spread or transmitted? a) In animals, they become infected by inhaling or ingesting the spores from contaminated soil or water (CDC). b) Humans can be infected once one’s body encounters an anthrax endospore. Spores enter the body and become active, once they have
from herbivoric animals to humans (Figure 1). Before an animal’s death, its orifices exude blood containing huge quantities of the bacterium. Anthrax forms extremely resilient spores upon exposure to atmospheric conditions. Because of this spore-producing ability, even after the animal host dies the germs can sporulate again, persisting in the soil for up to several decades (1). No cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported for this zoonosis. Historically, human cases have been either industrial
weapon is Anthrax. Inhalation of Anthrax is the most common way of causing harm. When someone is poisoned by inhaling Anthrax, they have actually been exposed to the spores of Anthrax.
Anthrax is a virulent infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is a zoonotic disease and it is contracted via direct contact from infected animals or contaminated animal products. The disease spreads through persons who have come into direct contact with the Anthrax spores. In 2001 Anthrax made global news headlines when it was used as a biological weapon in the United States following the September 2011 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon (1,
earlier. Sadly, that was about to change. By that night, Mr. Curseen was in the hospital and two days later he was pronounced dead. The cause: anthrax. While this quick turn of events came as a shock to the people in his life, Mr. Curseen’s story was not unheard of. In fact, cases like his were appearing almost every day, and it was soon discovered that anthrax had been placed in letters sent via the postal service in a direct attempt to harm people. This act of terrorism alarmed the world. While government
vaccine for anthrax in the 19th century for individuals who worked with cattle. At that time, individuals were injected with a very small amount of the bacteria, so as to not cause them to become sick and therefore they would develop an immunity to the disease. The vaccine used today which is approved by the FDA was formulated in the 1960’s and is very controversial. In 1988 U.S. Military personnel received the vaccine on the onset of the Persian Gulf War. There were many side effects reported by
Anthrax is a disease caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. It all started out when Robert Koch first discovered the bacterium that caused Anthrax. Not only does anthrax effect animals but also humans as well. In the United States on 2001, it was reported that there were bioterrorist attacks happening throughout the country. Many believed it was a bioterrorist attack from letters being delivered in the mail that contain anthrax spores. The types of anthrax, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis
agents to be used in a bioterrorism attack. Anthrax could be used in many forms, for example, it can be placed into letters and mailed, much like the 2001 anthrax attack, anthrax can be released into the air where the spores can be easily blown by the wind and inhaled or can be carried around on objects such as people’s clothes to which it has
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium. The most common victims of anthrax are warm-blooded animals, but it can also infect humans. Anthrax spores can be produced in a powdery form for biological warfare. When inhaled by humans, these particles cause respiratory failure and death within a week. Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare, the Department of Defense (DOD), in 1998, announced it would
Bioterrorism Bioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents are bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and may be in a naturally- occurring or a human-modified form. A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, toxins or other harmful agents used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. These agents are typically found in nature, but it is possible that they