Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)

Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.

• Anthrax Basics
  How can you get anthrax? How is it treated? Can it be prevented?
  
  
• Anthrax Information for Mail Handlers
  Protect your health by knowing when to be concerned about a piece of mail, how to respond, the role of antibiotics, and historical outbreak information.
  
  
• Anthrax Information for Health Professionals
  Anthrax signs and symptoms, exposure and prophylaxis, infection control, images, treatment, and use as a bioterrorism agent.
  

Please report any suspected cases of Anthrax or any other bioterrorism diseases or symptoms immediately by telephone to MDH at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.

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If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.