In 2001, letters containing anthrax were mailed to Democratic Senators Patrick Leahy and Tom Daschle in Washington DC, and several media offices. On July 29, 2008, Bruce E. Ivins, a government research microbiologist, committed suicide after learning he was about to be criminally charged in relation to the attacks.CBS News: Anthrax Investigation Documents Released (August 6, 2008) The FBI believes there is enough evidence against Ivins to close the investigation.ABC News: Anthrax Investigation: Case Closed? (August 4, 2008)

On August 6, 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice released court documents which detail evidence collected against Dr. Ivins during a long investigation into the anthrax attacks. Officials said Ivins had possession of anthrax spores with "certain genetic mutations identical to the anthrax used in the attacks."CNN.com: Court documents implicate researcher in 2001 anthrax attack (August 6, 2008)

1. Cause: Bacterium Bacillus anthracisCDC: Anthrax: What is anthrax?
2. Symptoms usually appear within 7 days of infectionCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
3. Three types of infection: Cutaneous, inhalation, intestinalCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
4. Cutaneous symptoms: Painless blister with black centerCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
5. Inhalation symptoms: Often flu-likeCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
6. 95% of cases: CutaneousCDC: Anthrax: What are the symptoms of anthrax?
7. Treatment: AntibioticsCDC: Anthrax: Is there a treatment for anthrax?