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 and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.

Anthrax is colorless, tasteless, and has no smell.

• 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 long periods

Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products.

Anthrax infection can occur in three forms:

1. Cutaneous (skin)
2. Inhalation
3. Gastrointestinal

Symptoms of the disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur with 7 days.

Cutaneous (skin): Approximately 95% of anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a blister and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell.

Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock.

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 are nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever is followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea.

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 believed.

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. Anthrax spores released into the air will probably follow a fairly narrow path, along the direction of the wind.

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.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommend anthrax vaccination for the following groups:

• Persons who work directly with the organism in the laboratory
• Persons who work with imported animal hides or furs in areas where standards are insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax spores.
• Persons who handle potentially infected animal products in high-incidence areas. (Incidence is low in the United States, but veterinarians who travel to work in other countries where incidence is higher should consider being vaccinated.)
• Personnel deployed to areas with high risk for exposure to the organism (as when it is used as a biological warfare weapon).

Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances. The purpose of these guidelines is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents.

• Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do, so the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another person.

• For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do, and requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.

 
What to Do if You Receive A Suspicious Unopened Letter or PACKAGE MARKED WITH THREATENING MESSAGE SUCH AS "ANTHRAX":

1. DO NOT try to CLEAN UP the powder. COVER the spilled contents immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover!
2. Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
3. WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
4. What to do next…

• If you are at HOME, then report the incident to the Niagara Regional Police Service.

• If you are at WORK, then report the incident to Niagara Regional Police Service, and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.

5. REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed. This clothing bag should be given to the emergency responders for proper handling.
6. SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible. Do Not Use Bleach Or Other Disinfectant On Your Skin.
7. If possible, list all people who were in the room or area, especially those who had actual contact with the powder. Give this list to both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.

1. Turn off local fans or ventilation units in the area.
2. LEAVE area immediately.
3. CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
4. What to do next…

• If you are at HOME, report the incident to the Niagara Regional Police Service.

• If you are at WORK, report the incident to the Niagara Regional Police Service, and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.

5. SHUT down air handling system in the building, if possible.
6. If possible, list all people who were in the room or area. Give this list to both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.

Some characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include the following…

• Excessive postage

• Handwritten or poorly typed addresses

• Incorrect titles

• Title, but no name

• Misspellings of common words

• Oily stains, discolourations or odor

• No return address

• Excessive weight

• Lopsided or uneven envelope

• Protruding wires or aluminum foil

• Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.

• Visual distractions

• Ticking sound

• Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"

• Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address