Anthrax
By: Raelyn Rivera
What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is a rare but serious illness. Anthrax mainly affects livestock and wild game. Humans can become infected by direct or indirect contact with sick animals. There is no evidence that anthrax can be contagious from person to person but its possible that anthrax skin wounds may be contagious through direct contact. Usually, anthrax bacteria enter the body through the wound or the skin but you also can be infected by consuming contaminated food or breathing the bacteria in.
How is the disease trasmitted?
It is found in soil that can come into contact with wild animals that can be transmitted to humans through direct contact.
Symptoms
Symptoms of this disease are fever, chills, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, confusion or dizziness, cough, nausea, vomiting or stomach pains, headache, sweats, extreme tiredness, and body aches.
How is the disease treated?
Since 1881 a vaccine was created to treat Anthrax by Louis Pasteur. Over time the vaccine was made more affective and today anthrax is very rare in humans and animals.
Ways to prevent yourself from the disease
if you live in or travel to a country where Anthrax is common and herd animals aren't routinely vaccinated, avoid contact with livestock and animal skins as much as possible.
Facts About Anthrax
-There are 3 types of Anthrax: Gastrointestinal, Pulmonary, Cutaneous
-An outbreak of Anthrax from intoxicated meat was reported in the Philippines
-Anthrax is believed to to originated in ancient Egypt.
-Ancient Greece and Rome were also familiar with Anthrax as well.
-An outbreak of Anthrax from intoxicated meat was reported in the Philippines
-Anthrax is believed to to originated in ancient Egypt.
-Ancient Greece and Rome were also familiar with Anthrax as well.