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What is anthrax and what causes it?
How is anthrax contracted?
Is anthrax contagious?
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
How is anthrax recognized?
How is anthrax treated?
Is anthrax an occupational concern?
How can we prevent anthrax?
What is anthrax and what causes it?Anthrax is an infectious disease that can affect the skin, the lungs, as well as the mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract. The infection sometimes can spread to other parts of the body, especially if treatment is not started early. For example, anthrax could, very rarely, lead to inflammation of the meninges (meningitis). Anthrax is caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria occur in living tissue of infected animals. The bacteria can form spores under certain conditions when, for example, body fluids infected with the bacteria are exposed to the air. The bacteria cannot live for long outside an animal. On the other hand, the spores can survive in soil and some other materials for decades. How is anthrax contracted?To multiply, Bacillus anthracis produces small spores. When these spores enter a cut or abrasion on the skin they start a skin infection usually called cutaneous anthrax. If the spores are inhaled, they are small enough that they enter the lungs and cause inhalation anthrax. Eating contaminated, undercooked meat can cause oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) and gastrointestinal anthrax. Is anthrax contagious?No. Spreading anthrax from person to person is extremely unlikely to occur. It also requires a relatively large dose to infect a person - one would have to inhale 8,000 to 50,000 spores. Smallpox takes only 10 to 100 organisms to cause the disease. What are the symptoms of anthrax?Symptoms of the disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted. Symptoms usually occur within 7 days of exposure, but usually between 2 to 5 days. The skin infection begins with itchy bumps that resemble insects bites. Skin bumps develop into painless black blisters. If the Bacillus anthracis spores are inhaled, the initial signs of disease are usually flu-like symptoms including fever, muscle pain, fatigue, cough and chest discomfort. The symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. In the case of intestinal anthrax symptoms usually begin a few days after ingestion of the contaminated meat. The symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. How is anthrax recognized?Confirmation of a anthrax diagnosis requires laboratory examinations which identify Bacillus anthracis in the blood, skin lesions or respiratory secretions. Laboratory blood tests can also detect whether the amount of certain specific protein (i.e. antibodies) has increased in the blood. An increase indicates infection by Bacillus anthracis. Antibodies are produced by special cells of the body's infection defense system to reduce or neutralize the effect of invading microorganisms. How is anthrax treated?Anthrax can be controlled with antibiotics. To be effective, treatment should start early after exposure. If left untreated or if treatment starts too late, anthrax can be fatal. Is anthrax an occupational concern?Human anthrax is unusual in North American. The last reported case of anthrax in Canada was in 1990 and it was a skin case. Anthrax can be an occupational hazard of workers who process hides, hair, bone and bone products and wool. Animal breeders, slaughterhouse workers, trappers and hunters, fur industry workers, tanning and leather industry workers, veterinarians, wildlife, agricultural, and laboratory workers who handle infected animals can also be at risk for the infection. How can we prevent anthrax?Workplaces which process animal products should have adequate ventilation systems including local exhaust system to reduce dust levels. Workers who handle raw animal materials should be informed about modes of transmission. Workers should follow good personal hygiene practices including care of skin abrasions. Workers should use adequate protective clothing and facilities for washing and changing clothes after work. Health Canada recommends that laboratory workers who work with anthrax should follow biosafety level 3 practices in appropriately designed and maintained facilities. Anthrax has become a current issue because it is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare and acts of terrorism. For issues regarding emergency preparedness and response please visit the Information on Anthrax Feature on the CCOHS web site.
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Document last updated on August 31, 2006
Copyright ©1997-2008 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
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