When inhaled by humans, these spores cause respiratory failure, leading to death within a week. Anthrax can make an excellent weapon of mass destruction. The spores may be used as a weapon in a variety of delivery systems. They can be produced in large quantities without sophisticated equipment. All it takes is a single breath of aerosolized anthrax to inhale enough spores to cause the disease.
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.