Anthrax is caused by the bacterium bacillus anthracis .
It is a disease of sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and swine. Human infection, though rare is an occupational disease of farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers. Cutaneous anthrax is transmitted through a break in the skin. Infection produces a localized skin lesion with tissue death resulting in a black necrotic eschar . From the localized lesion infection may spread through the bloodstream and cause sweating , fever , chills, shock, cyanosis, and collapse.