Symptoms of inhalation anthrax can begin as early as 24 hours after breathing the spores. Initial symptoms may include fever and chills, cough, chest soreness, chest pain, noisy breathing, weakness and lethargy. Anthrax has been recognized as an illness for centuries. Human infection with Anthrax usually results from direct contact with infected animals, or animal products such as wool, meat or hides. However, when Anthrax is used as a biological weapon, people become infected by breathing Anthrax that is released into the air.
Anthrax can also enter the human body through broken skin.
There have been no reports of Anthrax ever being transmitted from person to person. There have never been any reports of family members contracting Anthrax handling clothing soiled with known Anthrax spores. If treated before symptoms become severe, Anthrax is treatable with common antibiotics. Therefore, it is very important to observe anyone with possible exposure for any of the above symptoms. Since a threat of Anthrax was made, anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms would be seen by a doctor, the Erie County Medical Center or other local Emergency Department.