Anthrax Fact Sheet
Inhalation anthrax is NOT spread from person to person, and there is NO risk to anyone who has had contact with the drummer/drum maker or who attended performances or purchased drums from him.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which is capable of forming spores. A spore is a cell that is dormant (asleep) but may come to life in the right conditions. Spores can survive in the environment and remain infectious for a long time, even years.
There are three types of anthrax:
Skin (cutaneous)
Lungs (inhalational)
Stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal)
How is anthrax spread?
Anthrax is usually spread in the form of a spore. (A spore is a dormant form that certain bacteria take when they have no food supply. Spores can grow and cause disease when better conditions are present, as in the human body.) Anthrax is generally spread in one of three ways. Most persons who are exposed to anthrax become ill within one week:
- Skin (cutaneous) - Most anthrax infections occur when people touch contaminated animal products like wool, bone, hair and hide. The infection occurs when the bacteria enters a cut or break in the skin.
- Inhalation (lung) - Some anthrax infections occur when people breathe in the spores of the bacteria. However, the infectious dose for inhalational anthrax is quite high, and requires exposure to a large number of spores (8,000 – 10,000).
- Gastrointestinal - Some people may get anthrax by eating infected meat that has not been properly cooked.
How soon after exposure do symptoms develop?
Symptoms usually develop between one and seven days after exposure but prolonged periods up to 12 days for cutaneous (skin) anthrax and 60 days for inhalation anthrax are possible, though rare.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
- Skin (cutaneous) - This is the most common form of anthrax. Infection requires a break in the skin. The first symptoms include itching where the skin has been exposed. Then, a large boil or sore appears. The sore becomes covered by a black scab. If not treated, the infection can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream.
- Inhalation (lung) - Inhalation anthrax has been very rare in the US. First symptoms include fever, fatigue, malaise, and a cough or chest pain. High fever, rapid pulse, and severe difficulty breathing follow in two to five days. Inhalation anthrax is often fatal.
- Gastrointestinal - This form occurs only after eating infected, undercooked meat. First symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, loose watery bowel movements, and vomiting with blood.
How did this person become infected with anthrax?
The infected person was working with unprocessed animal hides to remove hairs by hand scraping at a workplace in Brooklyn. This process generates dust and debris in the work area. Anthrax spores can be found in animal hides but it is extremely rare that it causes inhalational anthrax.
I’m concerned about getting anthrax. What should I do?
Inhalation (lung) anthrax is not spread from person to person. Even if someone develops symptoms of inhalation anthrax, they are not contagious to other persons. Therefore, anthrax cannot be spread by people sharing office space, living in the same building, or by coughing or sneezing. You cannot be infected with anthrax by having contact with the person diagnosed with anthrax. If you have been in contact with unprocessed animal hides, you can contact your health care provider who may consult the Department of Health if there are any concerns.
As a contact of the anthrax case, do either I or my child need antibiotics to prevent anthrax infection?
No. Anthrax is not spread from person to person such as attending the Kotchenga Dance Troop performance. People should only take antibiotics to prevent or treat anthrax if they have been exposed to the bacteria. The course of antibiotic treatment to prevent anthrax is long (60 days) and people may experience side effects. Although most side effects are mild, severe side effects may occur (such as diarrhea, abdominal symptoms, rash, and allergic reactions) and the use of antibiotics may interfere with other medications you may currently be taking. In addition, the inappropriate use of antibiotics may cause the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.