Emergency Management
The Facts About Anthrax
What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It most commonly occurs in hoofed mammals. Anthrax can infect humans when they are exposed to infected animals or breath air laden with spores of the bacilli. Anthrax can be transmitted in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and intestinal. Symptoms of the disease usually occur 1 to 6 days after exposure and vary depending on how the disease was contracted. Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely to occur and is not contagious. As a result, there is no need to treat people who have been in contact with the infected person unless they were also exposed to the same source of the infection. According to experts anthrax germs, while invisible to the naked eye, must be mixed with some additive, usually a powder substance, to keep them from clumping together. When anthrax germs are clumped together, the microbe become less infectious. Infection in persons exposed to anthrax can be prevented with an antibiotic treatment. Early antibiotic treatment of anthrax is extremely important – delay reduce chances of survival. For further information, contact the City of Bedford Fire Department at 817-952-2500.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
Symptoms of the disease usually occur 1 to 6 days after exposure and vary depending on how the disease was contracted. The three serious forms of human anthrax are inhalation, cutaneous (skin) and intestinal.
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Inhalation: |
Inhalation anthrax is contracted form inhaling thousands of tiny spores. The initial symptoms of inhalation anthrax may resemble a common cold. The cough is the classic symptom, however fever, malaise and weakness may also occur. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax can be treated with antibiotics, including penicillin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Inhalation anthrax is most fatal form. About 25% to 60% of untreated cases result in death.
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Cutaneous: |
About 95% of infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool hides, leather or hair products of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into an ulcer, one to three centimeters with a black center. Lymph glands in the surrounding area may swell. Antibiotics are extremely effective against naturally occurring strands. Cutaneous is the least severe and most common form of anthrax, however about 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death.
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Intestinal: |
The intestinal form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs for nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax can be treated with antibiotics within the first days after infection. Between 25% and 60% of cases are fatal. About 90% of untreated cases result in death.
Anthrax can be very deadly when it is not detected early, so health officials encourage people to go to their doctor with any of the early symptoms. With flu season starting and the fact that symptoms between the flu and inhalation anthrax are similar, it is recommended to get a flu vaccination to rule out the flu. If you or anyone you know have early symptoms of any form of anthrax, contact your doctor immediately. For further information, contact the City of Bedford Fire Department at 817-952-2500.
Is there a treatment for anthrax?
Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by doctors when taken within the initial stages of the disease; the first few days for the inhalation form and the first weeks with the skin form. Three types of antibiotics are approved for preventing and treating anthrax: ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines and penicillins. An anthrax vaccine also can prevent infection; however vaccination against anthrax is not recommended or available to the general public to prevent the disease. If untreated, anthrax in all forms can lead to septicemia, commonly known as blood poisoning, and death. The anthrax vaccine is manufactured and distributed by BioPort Corporation in Lansing, Michigan. The vaccine contains no dead or live bacteria in the preparation.The immunization consists of three injections given 2 weeks apart followed by three additional injections given at 6, 12 and 18 months. Annual booster injections are recommended thereafter. Anthrax vaccines intended for animals should not be used in humans. 30% of recipients of the anthrax vaccine experience slight tenderness and redness at the injection site. Severe local reactions are infrequent and consist of extensive swelling of the forearm in addition to the local reaction. Less than 0.2% recipients experience systemic reactions.
For further information, contact the City of Bedford Fire Department at 817-952-2500.