After September 11th and the later anthrax scares, public health officials have been gearing up for another potential terrorist attack. Biological weapons are of concern because of their potential to cause mass casualties and panic. Anthrax still remains on the minds of many people. Infection is caused by the bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. Airborne spores from the bacteria can land on the skin, be inhaled into the lungs or swallowed into the digestive tract. Initial signs of skin infection are the development of small painless, itchy bumps. The areas eventually fill with fluid and rupture, leaving behind a black, ulcerated area of skin. Inhaled anthrax causes flu-like symptoms, chest pain, breathing difficulties and eventually, shock. About 89 percent of patients with inhalation anthrax die. In the digestive tract, anthrax can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract. Full Story
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