Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria form spores that can persist in the soil for decades. The bacteria can infect humans and animals. In humans, anthrax can cause infection in the skin (cutaneous), the digestive system (gastrointestinal), and the lungs (inhalational). It generally does not spread from person to person.
Anthrax occurs worldwide, but it is rare in animals and humans in Canada, though cases have been reported in some provinces. People who work with animal hair, wool, hide, blood, or other animal products may be at greater risk of exposure to B. anthracis, especially if they work with imported animal products from parts of the world where anthrax is more common.
Cutaneous: Skin infections account for 95% of all anthrax infections reported worldwide. Disease usually occurs five to seven days after contact with an infected animal or animal product. It can also occur with injection drug use. A small bump appears on the skin which turns into a blister, and then a painless open wound with a black centre. Most often sores appear on the face, neck, arm or hand.
Gastrointestinal: Digestive infection can develop after consumption of undercooked, contaminated meat. Symptoms may include fever, chills, mouth sores, sore throat, swelling of the neck or lymph nodes, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea.
Inhalational: Lung infections occur after inhaling spores. This can happen while working with contaminated animal products such as wool, hair, or hides as well as intentionally released spore preparations. Lung infections are the most serious type of infection. Symptoms include fever, chest discomfort, drenching sweats and sore throat, followed by difficulty breathing (shortness of breath).
Anthrax bacteria can infect the blood and rarely cause meningitis (infection of the layers around the brain and spinal cord).
Anthrax does not spread from person-to-person. It can spread in one of these ways:
- From infected animals or animal products
- Humans can become infected with skin anthrax by handling products such as animal hides from infected animals or via injection drug use
- Digestive infections occur by eating undercooked meat from infected animals
- Lung anthrax has been reported in factories where people breathe in spores from contaminated animal skins or wool
Anthrax is most common in herbivores such as cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. These animals, when grazing, ingest anthrax spores that live in the soil that have recently been brought to the surface (e.g., due to warm temperatures and/or heavy rainfall). Animals may also become infected by eating anthrax-contaminated feed. Anthrax outbreaks in animals occur worldwide.
Anthrax was deliberately prepared in a concentrated powder form and spread through the postal system in the United States in 2001 causing 22 cases of anthrax infection of the lungs and skin.
Diagnosis of anthrax can be done in a number of ways, depending on the type of infection. These may include testing the skin lesion, blood, stool, and sputum.
Please notify your doctor or primary care provider if you are concerned about Anthrax because it will change how the laboratory performs testing.
Anthrax infections can be treated with antibiotics. Consult your doctor or primary care provider immediately if you suspect you have been infected with anthrax.
The risk of anthrax infection in the general Canadian population is low. Individuals who work with raw animal materials and military personnel can be vaccinated against anthrax to decrease their risk of infection. Farm animals at risk of anthrax should also be vaccinated against anthrax.
Anthrax is not common among animals in British Columbia so there is little risk of anthrax if you work with animals. Anthrax may be suspected in an animal that has died suddenly and has bloody discharge from the nose, mouth or rectum. If you suspect an animal has died from anthrax, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not touch or move the carcass. The blood from an animal that dies from anthrax may expose other animals to the disease. Your veterinarian will advise you on the safest way to dispose of the animal.
Animal hides pose a low risk of skin anthrax, and a very low risk of lung anthrax. Imported animal hides pose a higher risk than hides from North America. People working with animal hides (e.g., making drums) should only use hides that have been legally imported and processed to reduce the chance of anthrax transmission. If you develop skin lesions or fever within seven days of handling an animal hide, seek medical care immediately.
The risk of anthrax infection in the general Canadian population is low. Laboratory workers, individuals who work with raw animal materials and military personnel can be vaccinated against anthrax to decrease their risk of infection. Farm animals at risk of anthrax should also be vaccinated against anthrax.
Anthrax is not common among animals in BC so there is little risk of anthrax if you work with animals in BC. Anthrax may be suspected in an animal that has died suddenly and has bloody discharge from the nose, mouth or rectum. If you suspect an animal has died from anthrax, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not touch or move the carcass. The blood from an animal that dies from anthrax may expose other animals to the disease. Your veterinarian will advise you on the safest way to dispose of the animal.
A vaccine to protect animals against anthrax is available.
Animal hides pose a low risk of skin anthrax, and a very low risk of lung anthrax. Imported animal hides pose a higher risk than hides from North America. People working with animal hides (e.g. making drums) should only use hides that have been legally imported and processed to reduce the chance of anthrax transmission. If you develop skin lesions or fever within 7 days of handling an animal hide, seek medical care immediately.
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