Anthrax Infection: Symptoms and Treatment
Anthrax FAQ
What is Anthrax and what causes it?
Anthrax is an infection caused by the spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. It is a zoonosis (disease transmissible from animals to humans) that typically affects ruminants (such as cows, sheep, and goats). The bacteria produce extremely potent toxins which are responsible for the symptoms, causing a high lethality rate.
What is anthrax contamination?
Anthrax contamination is a serious disease caused by bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. These bacteria can live in soil and turn into spores, which are hard to destroy and can survive for years. Anthrax spores can enter your body through your skin, lungs, or stomach: Skin anthrax is the most common type of anthrax.
Is anthrax a biological weapon?
Anthrax has been developed as a weapon by a number of countries. Anthrax has been used in biowarfare and bioterrorism since 1914. However, in 1975 the Biological Weapons Convention prohibited the "development, production and stockpiling" of biological weapons. It has since been used in bioterrorism.
Where can I find information about anthrax?
For further information please call your local public health unit on 1300 066 055. Anthrax occurs among grazing animals in many parts of the world, including livestock in parts of New South Wales. Anthrax is a very rare disease in humans.
Where did anthrax come from?
The source of the anthrax is believed to have been dilution of the heroin with bone meal in Afghanistan. Robert Koch, a German physician and scientist, first identified the bacterium that caused the anthrax disease in 1875 in Wollstein (now Wolsztyn - a town in Poland).
Anthrax References
If you want to know more about Anthrax, consider exploring links below:
What Is Anthrax
- https://www.cdc.gov/anthrax/basics/index.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anthrax/symptoms-causes/syc-20356203
- https://www.healthline.com/health/anthrax
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/anthrax-7482093
- https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/anthrax
- https://www.britannica.com/science/anthrax-disease
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anthrax
- https://www.health.gov.au/diseases/anthrax
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37557
Anthrax Information
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