Anthrax
Brittany Tramel
What is it?
Anthrax is caused by a spore forming bacterium. It mainly affects animals. Humans can become infected through contact with an infected animal or by inhaling spores.
History of Anthrax
Anthrax is thought to have originated in Egypt. Many scholars think that in Moses’ time during the 10 plagues of Egypt, anthrax may have caused what was known as the fifth plague, described as a sickness affecting horses, cattle, sheep, camels and oxen.
On October 4, 2001, reporters in Florida announced the first case in 25 years of a person contracting the deadly bacterium anthrax. The following day, Robert Stevens died.
1944 - Penicillin used to treat anthrax collapsed
1950s - The first anthrax vaccine for humans is created collapsed
1970 - New human vaccine released collapsed
2006 - New York City man diagnosed with inhalation anthrax collapsed
2009 - A woman in Connecticut was diagnosed with Gastrointestinal anthrax