Biological Threat of Contracting Anthrax
Biological Threat of Contracting Anthrax
Recently there have been several cases of anthrax. These cases are the result of the war on terrorism. In other words, they are acts of terrorism. A lot of people are getting really panicky, when they don’t even know what it is.
Anthrax is a bacterial infection that is carried by wild and domestic animals in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. The bacteria exists in a spore form which allows it to live in the environment. Anthrax is potentially dangerous and even deadly. Although there is a vaccine, there is only one place in the U.S. that is authorized to make it, and there are not a whole lot of the vaccines since it is rare. Another deadly thing about anthrax is that it can be spread quickly. It is spread usually two different ways. The first wary is through inhalation. When anthrax is inhaled, it is usually fatal. The second way that it is transmitted is through cuts, or through skin infections, and this way is called coetaneous.
Also, there are many symptoms for anthrax. For example, the initial symptoms of in haled anthrax resemble those of a cold. After several days though, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. The symptoms of the second way mentioned above is a painless ulcer that resembles a bug bite. It then goes on to decay in the middle and twenty percent of untreated cases result in death.
Finally, anthrax has become something on all peoples minds lately. Due to the events occurring since September 11, anthrax is a major threat for biological warfare. There have been many reports of anthrax lately, obviously acts of terrorism. Most of the cases have been transferred through the handling of mail. Therefore the majority of the people who have been diagnosed with anthrax have been post office workers. If anthrax is used in full-scale biological warfare it will be very deadly.
All in all, anthrax is very deadly. The potential of it used in warfare is unlimited. People should know that it is deadly, but right now they don’t have a high risk of catching the disease.
Work Cited:
http://www.phls.co.uk/facts/anthraxinfo.htm