About Anthrax in the Workplace

Key points

  • Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.
  • Anthrax infections occur naturally in wild and unvaccinated domestic animals in many countries, including the United States.
  • Workers can be infected if they are exposed to infected animals or animal products.
  • Workers can also be infected if the bacteria is used as a biological weapon.

More Information

two workers wearing white protective suits and blue gloves

Overview

Workers may be exposed to the bacteria that causes anthrax if they:

  • Touch contaminated animal carcasses, wool, hides, or fur
  • Breathe in spores during processing or working with contaminated animal products
  • Eat under-cooked meat from infected animals or eat food or drink water contaminated with spores
  • Come into contact with the bacteria during an initial terrorist attack or when responding to the emergency event

Who is at risk

Naturally occurring anthrax

People who work with infected animals or contaminated animal products or environments may be exposed. Workers at risk include:

  • Farmers
  • Veterinarians
  • Livestock handlers
  • Diagnostic laboratory workers
  • People who work with animal products

Anthrax as a biological weapon

Depending on how spores are spread, various workers could be exposed to spores in the air during an emergency event:

  • Emergency response workers, including law enforcement, public health, and healthcare workers
  • Mail handlers (if sent via the mail)
  • Decontamination workers
  • Critical infrastructure workers
Keep Reading: Risk factors

Environmental sampling

Surface sampling procedures for Bacillus anthracis spores from smooth, non-porous surfaces

Guidance on packaging and shipping vacuum socks used for the collection of Bacillus anthracis samples

Anthrax Surface Sampling Training‎

The Anthrax Surface Sampling Instructor Guide provides training on the collection of environmental Bacillus anthracis spores from nonporous surfaces

Case studies

Health Hazard Evaluations

Air Sampling Methodologies for Bacillus anthracis in a US Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center

Independent Leather, New York

North Dakota Department of Health and Consolidated Laboratories

Past responses and investigations

A review of cutaneous anthrax and its outcome

Human cutaneous anthrax, Georgia 2010–2012

Investigation of inhalation anthrax case, United States

Three related cases of cutaneous anthrax in France: clinical and laboratory aspects

Two rare presentations of fatal anthrax: meningeal and intestinal

Some cases in the U.S. have been associated with imported animal hides. Cases occurred in drum makers using these hides. Cases also occurred in people who handled the drums and who were around or in the environment where they were made.

Cutaneous anthrax associated with drum making using goat hides from West Africa

Gastrointestinal anthrax after an animal hide drumming event

Inhalation anthrax associated with dried animal hides

In 2001, spores were intentionally distributed through the U.S. postal system, causing 22 anthrax cases. Cases occurred through contact with the skin and breathing in spores. Five cases were fatal.

Anthrax letters in an open office environment: effects of selected CDC response guidelines on personal exposure and building contamination

Bacillus anthracis contamination and inhalational anthrax in a mail processing and distribution center

Follow-up of deaths among US Postal Service workers potentially exposed to Bacillus anthracis

Protecting workers from anthrax infection