Anthrax is a disease of grazing animals caused by bacteria that can infect humans. Currently, naturally occurring anthrax is not a problem in the U.S., even in animals, because they are routinely vaccinated. However, the disease is more common in poorer farming regions of the world. People who work with animals or animal products in these areas are at risk of acquiring the disease. Fortunately, because the disease does not spread directly from person to person, human epidemics rarely occur naturally.
Antibiotics usually cure anthrax of the skin.
Anthrax from food or water is difficult to diagnose because it looks like other stomach or intestinal illnesses. This anthrax is harder to treat, and about half the people who get it will die. Airborne anthrax is the worst form. People cannot smell, see, or taste anthrax contamination in air, but almost all people who inhale it will die within about one week. Rarely will a person know of exposure before any symptoms appear, and then antibiotic treatment is likely too late to be effective.