Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis, a gram-positive spore-forming organism whose virulence relies on anthrax toxins and an antiphagocytic capsule [1][2][4]. The disease manifests when spores enter the host and germinate, producing toxins that disrupt cellular signaling and immune defense [2][4].
Disease overview
Bacterial Evidence-backed information EN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sections Updated Oct 23, 2026
Anthrax is an infectious disease produced by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, with resistant spores enabling environmental persistence [1][2]. Human illness arises through skin, inhalational, gastrointestinal, or injection routes and chiefly affects persons with animal or animal-product contact and military personnel [1][2][3]. A non-occupational outbreak among injecting drug users in Scotland in 2009 marked a rare transmission setting outside traditional occupational risk [1].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile 6
Symptom onset ranges from one day to two months after exposure [1]. Cutaneous disease begins as a small blister with swelling that evolves into a painless black-centered ulcer [1]. Inhalational illness involves fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath, while intestinal involvement yields bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting [1]. Injected anthrax may resemble cutaneous disease without black areas and can extend deeply into muscle with rapid spread [1].
A documented non-occupational anthrax outbreak occurred in late 2009 among injecting heroin users in Glasgow and Stirling, Scotland, causing 14 deaths and representing the first such UK outbreak since 1960 [1]. The suspected source was heroin diluted with bone meal in Afghanistan [1].
Anthrax spreads through contact with Bacillus anthracis spores found in contaminated soil or animal products, entering via skin, inhalation, or oral routes [1][2]. Direct person-to-person transmission is not typical [1]. Injection of contaminated material can also establish infection [1].
Vaccination against anthrax is advised for individuals at high risk, including those working with animals or animal products and military personnel, and animal immunization is recommended where prior infections occurred [1][2]. Post-exposure antibiotic courses of about two months reduce risk after suspected exposure [1]. Handling of deceased suspected cases requires quarantine, sealed sampling, and incineration of the body to block spore release [1].
- 1 Wikipedia contributors. Anthrax - Wikipedia [Internet]. Wikipedia. cited 23 Oct 2026. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax
- 2 Sangwan N et al. Anthrax: Transmission, Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment. Toxins (Basel). 2025 Jan 24. PMID: 39998073. doi: 10.3390/toxins17020056. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39998073/
- 3 Mock M et al. Anthrax. Annu Rev Microbiol. 2001. PMID: 11544370. doi: 10.1146/annurev.micro.55.1.647. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11544370/
- 4 Moayeri M et al. Anthrax Pathogenesis. Annu Rev Microbiol. 2015. PMID: 26195305. doi: 10.1146/annurev-micro-091014-104523. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26195305/
- A22
- 1B91
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