Anthrax
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium (germ) that forms spores. A
spore is a cell that is dormant (asleep) but may come to life with the right conditions. There are three
types of anthrax:
• Cutaneous (skin) • Gastrointestinal (digestive) • Inhalation (lungs)
What are the symptoms?
Cutaneous-The first symptom is a small sore that develops into a blister. The blister then develops
into a skin ulcer with a black area in the center. The sore, blister and ulcer do not hurt.
Gastrointestinal-The first symptoms are nausea, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, and fever, followed
by bad stomach pain.
Inhalation-The first symptoms of inhalation anthrax are like cold or flu symptoms and can include a
sore throat, mild fever and muscle aches. Later symptoms include cough, chest discomfort, shortness
of breath, tiredness and muscle aches.
How soon do infected people get sick?
Symptoms can appear within 7 days of coming in contact with the spores for all three types of
anthrax. For inhalation anthrax, symptoms can appear within a week or can take up to 60 days to
appear.
Is anthrax contagious?
Anthrax is not known to spread from one person to another. People can become infected with
anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by breathing in anthrax spores from infected
animal products like raw, untreated wool. People also can become infected with gastrointestinal
anthrax by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.
How is anthrax treated?
Antibiotics treat all three types of anthrax. Early identification and treatment are important. Success
depends on the type of anthrax and how soon treatment begins.
Can anthrax be prevented?
There is a vaccine to prevent anthrax, but it is not currently available for the general public. In the
event of an anthrax attack, healthcare providers will administer vaccine and antibiotics to people who
may have been exposed to B. anthracis, but are not sick.
What should I do if I think I have anthrax?
If you are showing symptoms of anthrax infection, call your healthcare provider right away.
Can anthrax be used as a biological weapon?
Anthrax has already been used as a weapon. This happened in the United States in 2001 in New
Jersey and elsewhere. Anthrax was deliberately spread through the postal system by sending
letters with powder containing anthrax. This caused 22 cases of anthrax infection. Five cases
occurred in New Jersey, with no deaths.
How dangerous is anthrax?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies agents with the potential to be
used for bioterrorism into three categories: A, B and C. Anthrax is a Category A agent.
Category A agents:
• pose the greatest possible threat to the public’s health
• may spread across a large area
• require advance planning to protect the public’s health
In most cases, early treatment with antibiotics can cure cutaneous anthrax. Even if untreated,
80 percent of people who become infected with cutaneous anthrax do not die. Gastrointestinal
anthrax is more serious. Between 25 and 50 percent of cases result in death. Inhalation
anthrax is much more severe. In 2001, about half of the cases of inhalation anthrax in the
United States died.
What is New Jersey doing to prepare for a possible anthrax attack?
New Jersey is working with the CDC to prepare for an anthrax attack. Activities include:
• Developing plans and procedures to respond to an anthrax attack
• Training and equipping emergency response teams, gathering samples and
performing tests to help state and local governments control infection
• Educating healthcare providers, the media, and the general public about
what to do in the event of an attack
• Working closely with local health departments, veterinarians and
laboratorians to watch for suspected cases of anthrax
• Working with hospitals, laboratories, emergency response teams, and
healthcare providers to make sure they have the supplies they need in case
of an attack
Where can I get more information?
• Your healthcare provider
• Your local department of health
• The New Jersey Department of Health
--Website – www.nj.gov/health
--Communicable Disease Service at (609) 826-5964
• CDC
--https://www.cdc.gov/anthrax/
--1-800-CDC-INFO (4636) for assistance in English and Spanish
--TTY 1-888-232-6348
--E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Revised 10/18
