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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffAnthrax spores are formed by anthrax bacteria that occur naturally in soil in most parts of the world. The spores can remain dormant for years until they find their way into a host — usually wild or domestic livestock, such as sheep, cattle, horses, goats and camels. Although rare in the United States, anthrax is still common throughout the developing world, such as in Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan and sub-Saharan Africa.
Most human cases of anthrax occur as a result of exposure to infected animals or their meat or hides. In the United States, a few people have developed anthrax while making traditional African drums from the skins of infected animals.
One of the few known instances of non-animal transmission occurred in the United States in 2001 when 22 people developed anthrax after being exposed to spores sent through the mail. Five of those who were infected died.
- Anthrax. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/anthrax/. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Anthrax. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec14/ch172/ch172b.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Wilson K. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Wilson K. Microbiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Anthrax vaccine: What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-anthrax.pdf. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Wilson K. Treatment of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Ferri FF. Anthrax. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Wilson K. Prevention of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
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