Dexcel - Tip Of The Week. 2001 Anthrax 1. Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It most commonly occurs in mammals such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels and antelopes, but can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.
Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals.
Humans infected with anthrax usually have been exposed to infected animals or their products through their occupations. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with Bacillus anthracis. Spores can live in the soil for years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Eating undercooked meat from infected animals also can spread the disease. It would be unlikely to find an anthrax infected animal in New Zealand.