Anthrax
NOTE TO ALL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
If you suspect that a patient is infected with anthrax, immediately call Acute Communicable Disease Control to assist with diagnosis and infection control.
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(213) 240-7941 (8:00AM-5:00PM, Mon-Fri)
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(213) 974-1234 (After Hours, Emergency Operator, ask for on-call physician)
Additional reporting information is available on the Health Profession Mandatory Reporting webpage.
About Anthrax
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Naturally occurring anthrax most commonly occurs wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), and it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or contaminated animal products. There are jobs, hobbies, and activities that can put some people at higher risk of exposure. People can also contract anthrax if they are exposed during a bioterrorism event. LAC DPH’s Hospital Outreach and Biothreat Response Unit has systems designed to detect and investigate potential bioterrorism events locally.
Transmission
Anthrax almost never spreads from person to person. The only rare exception is from direct contact with a lesion of an untreated anthrax patient. While anthrax infection can cause severe illness in both humans and animals, it is rare for humans in the United States to be exposed to and become ill with anthrax.
Humans can contract anthrax if they:
- Come in contact with or work with infected animals or contaminated animal products (including meat, wool, hides, hair)
- Eat undercooked meat or water contaminated by B. anthracis spores
- Are exposed to anthrax in a laboratory that handles B. anthracis
- Are metal workers, especially welders, who are at higher risk for welder's anthrax
- Are exposed during a bioterrorism attack
Prevention
Most people will never be exposed to anthrax. However, there are jobs, hobbies, and activities that can put some people at higher risk of exposure. Refer to the CDC website for more information.
If you've been exposed to anthrax, see a healthcare provider immediately and explain how you may have been exposed. Doctors may recommend anthrax vaccine or certain antibiotics to prevent anthrax from developing.
Information for Healthcare Professionals
- LAC DPH Hospital Outbreak and Biothreat Response Unit
- CDC: Clinical Overview of Anthrax
- CDC MMWR: Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Anthrax, 2023
- CDC MMWR: Notes from the Field: Anthrax on a Sheep Farm in Winter — Texas, December 2023–January 2024
Resources and Special Reports
- CDC: About Anthrax
- CDPH: Anthrax
- Special Report 2007: LAC DPH Participation in USPS Biohazard Detection System Full Scale Exercises
- Special Report 2004: US Postal Service Biohazard Detection System Update