FAQs • Shelby County, TN • CivicEngage

What is anthrax?: Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.

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Health, Anthrax

1. What is anthrax?: Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.

2. Why has anthrax become a current issue?: Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare, the Department of Defense (DoD) has begun mandatory vaccination of all active duty military personnel who might be involved in conflict.

3. How common is anthrax, and who can get it?: Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. These include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with Bacillus anthracis (industrial anthrax). Anthrax in wild livestock has occurred in the United States.

4. How is anthrax transmitted?: Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal.
Anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.

5. What are the symptoms of anthrax?: Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within seven days. Cutaneous Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within one to two days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1 - 3 centimeters. In diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Inhalation Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal. Intestinal The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25 - 60% of cases.

6. Where is anthrax usually found?: Anthrax can be found globally. It is more common in developing countries or countries without veterinary public health programs. Certain regions of the world (South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East) report more anthrax in animals than others.

7. Can anthrax be spread from person-to-person?: Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely to occur. Communicability is not a concern in managing or visiting with patients with inhalational anthrax.

8. Is there an incubation period for the infection?: Although incubation periods have been reported to range from one to seven days and up to 60 days, symptoms of the disease usually occur within two to five days after exposure.

9. Is there a way to prevent infection?: In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds are low, humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products and avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. Also, an anthrax vaccine has been licensed for use in humans. The vaccine is reported to be 93% effective in protecting against anthrax.

10. What is the anthrax vaccine?: The anthrax vaccine is manufactured and distributed by the BioPort Corporation in Lansing, Michigan. The vaccine is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it contains no dead or live bacteria in the preparation. The final product contains no more than 2.4 milligrams of aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant. Anthrax vaccines intended for animals should not be used in humans.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommend anthrax vaccination for the following groups:

Persons who work directly with the organism in the laboratory
Persons who work with imported animal hides or furs in areas where standards are insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax spores
Persons who handle potentially infected animal products in high-incidence areas (incidence is low in the United States, but veterinarians who travel to work in other countries where incidence is higher should consider being vaccinated)
Military personnel deployed to areas with high risk for exposure to the organism (as when it is used as a biological warfare weapon)

The anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's Office can be reached at (877) GET-VACC (1-877-438-8222).

Note: Pregnant women should be vaccinated only if absolutely necessary.

12. What is the protocol for anthrax vaccination?: The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given two weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months later. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are recommended thereafter.

13. Are there adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine?: Mild local reactions occur in 30% of recipients and consist of 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. Systemic reactions occur in fewer than 0.2% of recipients.

14. Should I ask my physician for prophylactic treatment?: No. Prophylaxis is not recommended unless there is known exposure. Health
officials will make decisions about the need for initiation of antibiotic
prophylaxis on a case-by-case basis.

15. How is anthrax diagnosed?: Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating Bacillus anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of persons with suspected cases.

16. Is there a treatment for anthrax?: Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

17. If I believe I have been exposed, who should I contact?: Residents of Memphis and Shelby County should call 9-1-1. Provide them with the details of the occurrence explaining who was exposed, what they were exposed to (suspicious items, etc.), when exposure occurred, and where exposure occurred. After that, the appropriate response team will be dispatched and further instructions will be given by responding officials.