Anthrax is a critical infectious disease caused by the bacteria called Bacillus anthracis which are very much capable in spore-forming. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic animals, but it can also occur in humans when they get in touch with infected animals. The bacteria get into the body through a break in the skin. In rare cases, people can get anthrax by breathing in anthrax spores from contaminated soil or animal products or by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.

Anthrax can be found globally. It is more common in developing countries South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

These are the 3 main ways Anthrax affects humans:

1. Cutaneous (skin): Anthrax causes a characteristic sore on the skin and results from exposure to the spores after handling sick animals or contaminated animal wool, hair, hides, or bone meal products. Cutaneous anthrax is easy to cure if it is treated early with appropriate antibiotics.
2. Inhalational (breathing): Through breathing anthrax spores into the lungs. People who handle animal hides infested with spores may develop inhalational anthrax. Once inhaled, the organisms multiply and may spread their toxins to the bloodstream and many other organs.  
3. Gastrointestinal (eating): This anthrax results from eating meat products that contain anthrax organisms. It is difficult to diagnose. A person who has eaten contaminated products may feel throat pain or have difficulty swallowing. This type of anthrax has a very high death rate.
4. Anthrax meningitis: This type of anthrax may complicate any form of anthrax and spread throughout the central nervous system and to the brain.

Causes of Anthrax
Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. These are single-celled seeds that can reproduce the bacteria. These bacteria can form spores which can either be eaten in contaminated meat, breathed in, or simply infect the skin directly through human to animal contact.

The greatest risk comes from handling rugs and handicrafts made from goat skin or goat hair. Spores can live indefinitely in wool, blankets, and other animal products.

Signs & Symptoms of Anthrax

Cutaneous (skin) anthrax

• It lasts for 1-7 days after spores enter the body through breaks in the skin. 
• It affects the arms and, to a lesser extent, the head and neck. 
• The infection may spread throughout the body in case of non treatment. 
• It begins as a small pimple like sore that enlarges in 1-2 days to form a "malignant pustule" at the site of the infection. 
• The sore is not painful but the central area of sore is filled with blood & fluid containing many bacteria. 
• A black scab forms at the place of sore which lasts for 7-14 days before separating. 
• The surrounding area may be swollen and painful and may last long after the scab forms. 
• Sores that affect the neck may cause swelling that could affect breathing.

Inhalational anthrax 

• Initially a person may not have specific respiratory or breathing symptoms but might have a low-grade fever and a nonproductive cough. 
• An exposed person may feel chest pain early in the illness and improve temporarily. 
• High fever, severe shortness of breath, rapid breathing, bluish color to the skin, a great deal of sweating, vomiting blood, and chest pain that may be so severe as to seem like a heart attack. 
• Inhalational anthrax usually causes death when the poisonous toxins produced by the bacteria overwhelm the body systems.

GastroIntestinal anthrax 

• Swallowing spores may cause intestinal anthrax 2-5 days later. 
• Infected person may have nausea, vomiting, 
• Tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, 
• Diarrhea and fever.

 

Diagnosis of Anthrax
Anthrax is usually diagnosed by isolating the bacterium from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory discharges; by detecting the bacterial DNA or antigens; or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of persons with suspected cases. 

Detection of the DNA and detection of antibodies in the blood of suspected cases, are important tools for diagnosis because positive culture is unlikely after antibiotic treatment has been started. 

Swabs and smears can be taken from infected exposed people and blood can be analyzed for the presence of the bacteria.

Preventions of Anthrax
Anthrax vaccine is available for people in high-risk occupations. The spread of anthrax can be prevented by:
Carefully handle dead animals suspected of having anthrax; provide good ventilation when processing hides, fur, hair or wool; and vaccinate animals.

In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds are low: 

• Humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products
• Humans should avoid eating meat that has not been properly cooked. 
• An anthrax vaccine has been licensed for use in humans. 
• The vaccine is reported to be 93% effective in protecting against anthrax.
• The vaccine is currently approved only for healthy men and women ages 18-65 years. 
• Pregnant women should not be vaccinated. 
• Vaccine for anthrax is available to certain military personnel only. It is given in a series of six doses.

Treatments of Anthrax 

• Antibiotics are used to treat all three types of anthrax. Early identification and treatment are important.
• There is no need to take any specific action. 
• Increased understanding and awareness are probably the best defence. 
• People who develop severe unexplained fever, severe respiratory symptoms and sudden flu-like symptoms should contact their doctor. Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. 
• To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

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