Persons who handle potentially infected animal products in high-incidence areas. Pregnant women should be vaccinated only if absolutely necessary. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are recommended thereafter. Severe local reactions are infrequent and consist of extensive swelling of the forearm in addition to the local reaction. Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of persons with suspected cases.
Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics.
To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal. The Department of Defense recommends that servicemen and women contact their chain of command on questions about the vaccine and its distribution.