This outbreak occurred in February of 1996. Anthrax Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. One billionth of a gram can kill one person. Anthrax most commonly occurs in warm-blooded animals, but can also infect man. When inhaled by humans, these particles cause respiratory failure and death within a week.
Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals.
These include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected. Anthrax in animals rarely occurs in the United States. Most reports of animal infection are received from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Dakota.