Georgia agriculture officials say the state has been anthrax-free for a half century. We would always be concerned if we saw it, but it does not appear to be a disease that has a foothold in Georgia. Anthrax has been in the news lately because of its potential use by terrorists. It occurs naturally but is considered one of the easiest biological agents to make. The FBI is investigating the death of a Florida man and the infection of two co-workers, as well as an NBC News employee in New York who was sickened.
Anthrax is caused by a bacterium that can infect humans and animals.
Humans usually get it from contact with infected animals, wool, meat or hides. Skin contact usually causes sores, fever and fatigue. The symptoms are much more serious when the spores are inhaled. They can cause bleeding and tissue damage, but even then patients can survive if it is detected early and treated with antibiotics. If you don't have the organisms, you don't have the disease.