Anthrax is a disease that most commonly appears as blood poisoning. It strikes suddenly and kills cattle quickly.
Cattle contract the disease in pastures contaminated by anthrax spores.
It does not spread from cow to cow by contact. All animals are susceptible to anthrax to some degree, but cattle, horses, sheep and goats are most commonly affected. Humans and swine possess a greater natural resistance to the disease. It is caused by the anthrax germ, Bacillus anthracis . When the bacillus escapes from the animal's body, it forms a spore when exposed to air.