Anthrax

Infectious agent:  Bacillus anthracis

Description of illness: An infectious disease that is found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals. Illness depends on the type of anthrax , such as cutaneous, inhalation, gastrointestinal, and injection. Injection of anthrax has been identified in Europe, but has never been reported in the United States. Symptoms vary based on types of exposure but can include fever and chills, headache, blisters/bumps, stomach pain, and body aches. Injection anthrax is similar to cutaneous anthrax, but injection spreads through the body faster. The bacteria in anthrax have also been used in biological attacks.