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Anthrax is a disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a microbe that lives in soil. Many people know about it from the 2001 bioterror attacks. In the attacks, someone purposely spread anthrax through the U.S. mail. This killed five people and made 22 sick.
Anthrax affects farm animals more often than people. But it can cause three forms of disease in people. They are:
Antibiotics often cure anthrax if it is diagnosed early. But many people don't know they have anthrax until it is too late to treat. A vaccine to prevent anthrax is available for people in the military and others at high risk.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Date last updated: 22 December 2008 Topic last reviewed: 10 December 2008 |