B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling animal products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States. Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within seven days. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell.
Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax usually results in death in 1-2 days after onset of the acute symptoms. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. The incubation period is usually within seven days. There are no reports of the disease spreading from human to human.