Abstract This paper discusses anthrax, an acute infectious disease that came into the limelight recently due to the anthrax attacks in the United States in the weeks following the September 2001 terror attacks, causing widespread panic. The paper includes information on how the disease is caused, types of anthrax, symptoms of the disease and its treatment. The paper also presents information on the 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States and examines what makes anthrax a good bioterrorism agent.
Outline
Introduction
How is Anthrax Caused?
Bacillus Anthracis Types of Anthrax and Ways in Which it can Infect Humans
Treatment
Anthrax as a Biological Weapon
The 2001 Anthrax Attacks
From the Paper "Anthrax is caused by the bacterium 'Bacillus anthracis' that is highly lethal in its virulent form. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic animals, but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals, tissue from infected animals, or high concentrations of anthrax spores. Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium which causes anthrax, is rod-shaped and about 1 by 6 micrometres in size. It was the first bacterium ever to be shown to cause disease by Robert Koch in 1877. The bacteria normally rest in spore form in the soil, and can survive for decades in this state. When ingested by a plant eating animal, the bacteria starts to multiply and eventually kills the animal. They even continue to reproduce in the carcass but eventually revert back to the dormant spore state when they run out of nutrients. ("Bacillus anthracis.")"
Abstract This paper deals with the disease anthrax and the bacterium that causes it. Included is information on history, tests, where it is found, how and who contracts it, symptoms, treatments, and uses as a biological weapon.
From the Paper "Since the events of September 11 shocked our nation we have become increasingly concerned with the possibility of further terrorist attacks. President Bush has already added a new member to his cabinet; Tom Ridge now serves as the Homeland Defense Secretary. Words such as anthrax and biological warfare, which are not usually seen unless you look for them, can now be found almost every time you turn on the television, pick up the newspaper or log-on to the internet. If you had taken a survey of Americans three months ago asking them "What is anthrax"? the most common response next to "I don"t know? would probably have been "Hey, isn"t that a rock band?? Now it can almost be considered a household word. Since September 25th several people in the United States have become infected with a disease called anthrax, some have even died, because of exposure to letters containing a white powder from an, as of yet, unknown mailer. When used as a biological weapon, anthrax posses a serious threat to people and the environment and therefore should not be used as such."
Abstract This paper offers an explanation of the Anthrax disease. The paper begins by defining Anthrax as an acute disease that is caused by a bacteria known as bacillus anthracis. The paper then explains the various methods of contracting Anthrax which include cutaneous through the skin, inhalation and gastrointestinal through food or digesting the bacteria. The paper includes a number of references to reports on the issue by the center for disease control and the FBI. The paper makes reference to the recent Anthrax scares in the U.S., where a white powdery substance was sent via postal mail across the country.
From the Paper "The cutaneous form of anthrax occurs as an infection of the skin. This type of anthrax is caused by touching animals or animal products with an anthrax infection. The cutaneous form of anthrax is the least serious form of anthrax. The inhaled version of anthrax occurs when a person inhales anthrax spores that are present in infected animal products or in soil that has been exposed to infected animals. The inhaled version of anthrax is the most serious form of the disease. The gastrointestinal version of anthrax occurs by eating undercooked meat from animals with anthrax. This is the rarest form of anthrax that people can contract."
Abstract This paper discusses the threat posed by anthrax as a biological weapon. The paper describes the use and manufacturing of anthrax as a biological weapon. The paper examines the physical properties of anthrax and describes the effects it has on human beings and animals. The available treatment for an anthrax infection is presented in the paper.
From the Paper "The scientific name of anthrax, bacillus anthracis, is derived from anthrakis, the Greek word for coal. The reason for this is that the disease caused by the substance is associated with black, lesions that look like coal in some cases. The cellular appearance of anthrax can be identified with fair certainty by experienced microbiologists. The problem is however that few of these professionals not working in the veterinary community have had the opportunity to either work with or see the cellular or colonial appearance of anthrax. This makes it difficult to identify and prevent the effects of the weapon in practice."
Abstract Anthrax, which is caused by a spore-forming bacterium called Bacillus anthracis, actually occurs as an acute and infectious disease, and is generally found in animals, both wild and domestic. This paper examines how the disease spreads, its different forms, its symptoms and its prevention. In particular, it looks at how it is used as part of bioterrorism.
From the Paper "Anthrax is termed a zoonotic disease (meaning that it is acquired by people from animals) (Brachman & Friedlander, 1994). The earliest accounts of humans getting this disease are thought to be caused by anthrax dating from the Fifth Egyptian Plague, which was 3500 years ago (Brachman & Friedlander, 1994). During the Middle Ages, anthrax, which was then called "The Black Bane," actually killed very large numbers of people and animals over in Europe. At that time, there was no understanding of the disease, and there was no vaccine (Brachman & Friedlander, 1994). Much like the bubonic plague, people simply did not seem to understand how the disease worked or how they should prevent it."
