Anthrax

The Anthrax topic includes research on the causative pathogen, transmission, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the illness caused by the anthrax toxin.

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis and is primarily a disease of livestock. Humans can become infected by handling or inhaling spores from products of infected animals or eating undercooked meat from infected animals. In 2001, 22 cases of anthrax infection were caused by deliberate spread through the U.S. postal system, killing five people and sickening 17 others.