RM Global Health

Anthrax is primarily a disease of animals such as cattle, goats, and sheep. Humans can contract the disease by handling contaminated hair, wool, hides, flesh, blood and excreta of infected animals. Inhalation of anthrax spores can occur in high-risk industrial processes such as tanning of hides, or wool/bone processing. Infection is introduced through scratches or abrasions of the skin, wounds, inhalation of spores, eating undercooked infected meat, or by flies.