What is anthrax?
Anthrax is a colorless, odorless, tasteless bacterium
that can produce spores that are resistant to sunlight, heat and
disinfectant.
If inhaled, anthrax spores can germinate and lead to
infection within one to 60 days. This is pulmonary anthrax, which
usually causes death.
Less lethal forms include cutaneous infections, which
occur if anthrax spores come in contact with a cut or other opening in
the skin.
Another form of anthrax develops in
the intestine of those who eat improperly cooked meat of animals that
have been infected with anthrax.