Anthrax - the Current Situation

Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by an organism known as Bacillus anthracis. This bacteria is common in many parts of the world and can cause infections in both animals and humans who are exposed to it. The anthrax bacteria is very hardy, and when environmental conditions become too harsh for it to survive, it will produce a spore. This spore will allow the bacteria to lay dormant until the environmental conditions improve in a way that will allow the vegetative cell to survive. These spores exist in the soil of many countries waiting for a human, or more likely, an animal to inhale, ingest, or come into contact with it in a way that will enable it to live in an environment that it enjoys.
How do humans contract anthrax?

Humans can contract anthrax in many ways. Occupational hazards include farmers whose herds graze on pastures where anthrax spores can be found naturally. Veterinarians are also at risk when caring for animals exposed or infected with anthrax bacteria. There are three main types of human anthrax.

1. Cutaneous anthrax - this is the form of anthrax that a person would get if bacterial cells or spores get past the protection of skin and enter a small cut or abrasion. Historically, it was commonly known as "wool-sorters disease". This is because the bacteria was aerosolized by the process of clipping the wool from the sheep. Today, cutaneous anthrax still occurs in many occupations, including drum-making, farming, and other animal related industry in endemic countries.

2. Inhalational anthrax - This form of anthrax is contracted by inhaling the spores created from a motion that will aerosolize the spores. This type of anthrax is what the world is concerned with in bioterrorism because those who wish to inflict harm will propagate and engineer the spores to make them more capable of being inhaled.

3. Gastrointestinal anthrax - though this is the most uncommon form, there has been recent cases due to the ingestion of spores during a drum circle meeting in New Hampshire.

Should you panic?

No way...not unless you have a reason to believe you are infected. This is a very rare disease, but if you believe based on contact or travel that you have acquired a form of anthrax, visit you doctor. It is easily treatable if caught early. Make sure you supply your physician with travel history and contact history.

To keep current with Bacillus anthracis related posts check this website:

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=2400:1000

http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/01/04/nh_anthrax_case_linked_to_animal_skinned_drums/