Anthrax spores are odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Animals and people can get anthrax disease. Anthrax is most commonly found in agricultural regions where goats, sheep, cattle or other plant-eating animals have not been vaccinated. When anthrax infects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products, especially hides, hair, wool, bones or bone products. Less commonly, humans can be infected by ingesting undercooked, contaminated meat.
Anthrax is found around the globe.
It is more often a risk in countries that do not vaccinate their livestock, or that have substandard or ineffective public-health programs. There are three forms of anthrax disease, varying by the route of infection. Inhaled anthrax does not typically spread from person to person. Because anthrax spores can live in the soil for many years, animals can get anthrax by grazing or drinking water in contaminated areas. Weaponized anthrax could be used against people in almost any location, and in many different ways.