Littleton New Hampshire Fire Department

New Hampshire Department of
Health and Human Services

129 Pleasant Street Concord, New Hampshire 03301 800-852-3345 www.dhhs.state.nh.us

Anthrax Fact Sheet

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.

Why has anthrax become a current issue?

It is a current issue because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare.

Are there any reported cases of anthrax in New Hampshire?

No cases of anthrax have been reported in New Hampshire.

How common is anthrax and who can get it?

Anthrax can be found globally. It is more common in agricultural regions of 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. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to occupational exposure to infected animals or their products, as it happened recently in North Dakota. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with B. anthracis (industrial anthrax). Anthrax in wild livestock has occurred in the United States; a human case of the inhaled anthrax has been recently reported in the State of Florida.

How is anthrax transmitted?

Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: coetaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. anthraces 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 acquired by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States

What are the symptoms of anthrax?

Symptoms of disease vary disease was contracted, but within 7 days.

Cutaneous: Most ( about 95% ) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contam- inated 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 1- 2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm 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 after symptoms appear.

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 initial signs of nausea, loss of anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.

How is anthrax diagnosed?

As in determining any infection, a physician orders laboratory tests and makes a diagnosis based on the findings. Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of persons with suspected cases.

Is there a treatment for anthrax?

Doctors should begin treatment as soon as a diagnosis of anthrax is suspected.

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. Therefore, there is no need to immunize or treat contacts of persons with anthrax, such as household contacts, friends, or co-workers, unless they were exposed to the same source of infection.

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 li vestock and animal products and avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. An anthrax vaccine also can help to prevent infection. A quickl y started treatment after a known exposure to anthrax will help as well to prevent the development of disease. Vaccination against anthrax or preventative antibiotic treatment is not recommended for the general public in order to prevent the disease. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services , health officials will notify the public if such a measure is needed.

For more information, call the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services,
Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at
(603) 271-4496 or (800) 852-3345 x4496.
On weekends or after business hours, call
(603) 271-5300 or (800) 852-3345 x5300 and request to speak with the Public Health Nurse on Call.

Page last updated Thursday, March 31, 2005

webmaster and department e-mail inf@littletonfirerescue.org