How does anthrax spread

A.� Anthrax is a bacteria caused by the organism Bacillus anthracis, which can be found in cattle or other hoofed animals. The bacterium forms spores that can infect humans in three different ways: they can be eaten, via contaminated meat, inhaled or infect the skin through direct contact of the infected animal with a human.

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Anthrax spores are invisible and odourless and a victim would be completely unaware that they had been exposed to the bacteria.

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Q.� Of the three types of anthrax, which is the most deadly

A.� The respiratory kind,�which claims 90% of its victims. One of the main problems with anthrax infection is that its symptoms resemble other, non-serious illnesses and so it isn't picked up until the infection is firmly underway.

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Q.� What are the symptoms

A.� Respiratory anthrax produces flu-like symptoms to start with, but the victim usually goes into shock within a few days of the infection taking hold.

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Ingested anthrax produces symptoms like food poisoning and usually claims around half of its victims.

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Cutaneous anthrax is the least fatal and the one most responsive to treatment. It produces skin lesions, but if these lesions are not treated early enough the infection can spread to and poison the blood, killing around�one in 20 victims.

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Q.� And is there a cure

A.� Antibiotics.

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Q.� Are they effective

A.� That depends upon the type of anthrax. Even with antibiotics, respiratory anthrax will still claim�eight out of 10 victims. Cutaneous anthrax responds best to antibiotic treatment.

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Q.� What about vaccines

A.� They do exist and are very effective. However, until now they've been restricted to military personnel and meat-and-tanning industry workers. If a mass vaccination plan was put in place the pharmaceutical companies wouldn't be able to keep up with demand.

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Q.� How easy it is to manufacture anthrax

A.� With the right microbiology and biotechnology knowledge, access to reasonably sophisticated facilities and an original source of anthrax bacteria to begin the culturing process, experts suggest it is not impossible to manufacture.

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However, experts also consider that it is beyond the capabilities of small groups and only nations with sufficient contacts and resources would be able to successfully manufacture, store and distribute sufficient amounts of the bacteria to have an effect.

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by Lisa Cardy