Join the Discussion The Anthrax Threat

Related Resources • Anthrax & Small Pox • The War on Terrorism • The Anthrax Vaccine • Anthrax Information

Elsewhere on the Web • DOD Anthrax Site • CDC Anthrax Site

United States Intelligence Agencies have briefed the President and the Congress that the chances of another terrorist attack on the United States is almost 100 percent. Because there is a possibility that such attack may include the use of biological weapons (most likely anthrax), many individuals are concerned. Gas mask sales in the past three weeks have skyrocketed. M-17 masks, which one month ago could be easily purchased for as little as $40.00 are now selling for over $300. In Florida, American Media Inc. officials reported five new cases of anthrax exposure at their office building, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said test results were too preliminary to make that statement. If additional analysis, which is expected to be completed in a week, shows that the five were exposed, that would bring the number of infected employees to eight. One man has died. But, is anthrax the "mass destruction weapon" that many are making it out to be?

What is anthrax?

According to the Center for Disease Control, 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.

The Department of Defense considers anthrax to be highly dangerous because it is:

• Highly lethal
• One of the easiest biological agents to manufacture
• Relatively easy to develop as a weapon
• Easily spread in the air over a large area
• Easily stored and dangerous for a long period

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 B. anthracis (industrial anthrax). Anthrax in wild livestock has occurred in the United States.

How is anthrax transmitted?

Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. 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.

What are the symptoms of anthrax?

Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur 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 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 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.

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% to 60% of cases.

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.

The Threat

The biggest threat of anthrax (as a terrorist weapon) is by releasing anthrax spores in the air, which can then be inhaled. However, this might not be quite as effective as we've been led to believe.

Various studies have shown that one must inhale a significant amount of anthrax spores to become infected. In fact, tens of thousands of spores must be inhaled. When released in the air, anthrax spores are definitely a threat. However, once the anthrax spores hit the ground, they usually stay there and are not a threat for inhalation. In Sverdlovsk (now Ekaterinburg) there was a large release of anthrax spores from a bioweapons factory, due to a faulty or missing filter, in 1979. Only 66 people in a town of more than 1 million died from anthrax, although the citizens were not notified of the release, and therefore did not receive prompt antibiotics or optimal medical therapy.

Anthrax spores released into the air will probably follow fairly narrow path, along the direction of the wind. This is why there were not many deaths in Sverdlovsk. Anthrax makes a great terror weapon (look at the concern a few cases have caused), because of the fear it instills, but -- as an effective means of causing large amounts of casualties, it may not be all that effective.

However, if you are directly in the path of anthrax spores released into the air, you will likely be infected. This is where your $300 gas mask comes into play, right?

Unfortunately, anthrax is colorless, tasteless, and has no smell. If we are attacked with anthrax, that attack will likely occur without warning. So, unless you are going to wear that gas mask 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, you probably should have saved your money.

Additionally, gas masks are worthless if they are not fitted properly. Military personnel go through several hours of training in the use of gas masks and other chemical/biological protection equipment. Without this training, it is likely that any gas mask purchased by the average citizen will not be fitted properly.

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Much of the Above Information Courtesy of DOD and the CDC