ANTHRAX VACCINE

ANTHRAX

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. People or animals can contract anthrax from contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Bacillus anthracis forms spores than can survive in the environment, especially soil or animal products (e.g., rawhide) for decades. The most common route of exposure is via skin scrapes when working with infected animals resulting in cutaneous anthrax. Gastrointestinal infection occurs following eating raw or undercooked infected or contaminated meat. The most dangerous form of anthrax follows after inhalation of aerosolized anthrax spores, typically during industrial processing of infected animal products (e.g., rawhide, wool). In the United States, anthrax is very rare. Vaccination of livestock is recommended in areas with historical occurrences of anthrax. Moreover, all food animals are examined before slaughter (Mayo Clinic, Guide to Understanding Anthrax,   ACIP).

Anthrax spores had been mass-produced as a bioweapon by the Soviet Union (STAT News). In 2001, anthrax was also used as a bioweapon when letters laced with anthrax were mailed to several news media offices and Democratic Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy, killing five and sickening 17 (Amerithrax investigation). Anthrax vaccine BioThrax is given to adults at increased risk of exposure in five doses, with a booster dose each year. It is also used as post-exposure prophylaxis in combination with antibiotics. 

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