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• Anthrax is a potentially deadly bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.CDC: Anthrax: What is anthrax? Anthrax lives dormant in a spore and, under specific circumstances, may become active.MayoClinic.com: Anthrax While it is most common for anthrax to infect animals, humans can also become infected by this bacteria.CDC: Anthrax: How common is anthrax and who can get it?

  An outbreak of anthrax occurred in March 2009 in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. With fifteen people diagnosed and four hospitalized, investigators were searching for the cause of the outbreak. It was noted that dead livestock had been found with the bacteria, but no live animals seemed to carry it.CNN: Livestock blamed for anthrax outbreak (March 20, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Cause: Bacterium Bacillus anthracisCDC: Anthrax: What is anthrax?
  2. Symptoms usually appear within seven days of infectionCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
  3. 89 typesThe New York Times: A Nation at War: Anthrax Research; Key to Strains of Anthrax Is Discovered (March 27, 2003)
  4. Three types of infection: Cutaneous, inhalation, intestinalCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
  5. Cutaneous symptoms: Painless, but itchy, blisters with black centersCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
  6. Inhalation symptoms: Often cold and flu-likeCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
  7. Majority of cases (95%) are cutaneousCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
  8. Treatments: Antibiotics and human monoclonal antibodiesCDC: Anthrax: Is there a treatment for anthrax? FOX News: Human Genome Starts Shipping New Anthrax Drug (February 2, 2009)
  9. Believed to have been spread by cows and goats in IndiaCNN: Livestock blamed for anthrax outbreak (March 20, 2009)

• New Treatment

  The Company Human Genome Sciences produces a treatment for Anthrax that focuses on the toxins produced by the bacteria rather than the bacteria itself. Called ABthrax, generic name raxibacumab, the medicine is a protein that mimics an immune system response in the body. It targets the toxin and eliminates it. The US Government has ordered 20,000 doses of the drug to stockpile for a possible terrorist attack. The delivery of the drugs began February 2, 2009.FOX News: Human Genome Starts Shipping New Anthrax Drug (February 2, 2009)

• 2001 Attacks

  In 2001, a series of anthrax attacks, spread via mail in the United States, brought to light use of anthrax as a means of bioterrorism. The attacks caused five deaths and left another 17 people sick.CNN.com: Report: Anthrax suspect kills self before filing of criminal charges (August 1, 2008) The main suspect in the attacks, microbiologist Bruce E. Ivins, committed suicide on July 29, 2008. His death came shortly before the U.S. Department of Justice was set to file charges against Ivins for crimes related to the attacks.The New York Times: Man Suspected in Anthrax Attacks Said to Commit Suicide (August 1, 2008)

• Disclaimer

  The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Anthrax, please consult your doctor.

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