Anthrax - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & More…

Summary

Anthrax is a rare disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium found in soil. It affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats more often than people. People can become infected through contact with infected animals or animal products, including wool, meat, and hides.

Forms of anthrax

• Cutaneous anthrax: Affects the skin. Bacteria can enter through cuts or open sores.
• Inhalation anthrax: Affects the lungs and can result from breathing in bacterial spores.
• Gastrointestinal anthrax: Affects the digestive system and can result from eating infected meat.

The video notes that anthrax became widely known because of the 2001 U.S. mail attacks, in which five people died and 22 became ill. Antibiotics can often cure anthrax when it is diagnosed early, but treatment may come too late if the disease is not recognized promptly. A preventive vaccine is available for military personnel and others at high risk.

Speakers and sources

• Speaker: One unnamed narrator.
• Other sources: None explicitly identified in the subtitles.