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Anthrax is a disease caused by the spore-forming bacteria Bacillus anthracis. The name of the bacteria derives from the Greek word for coal, because of the ulcers with dark centres that develop on the skin of affected people.
Anthrax occurs on all the continents and commonly causes high mortality, primarily in domestic and wild herbivores as well as most mammals and several bird species.
It is a serious zoonosis, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
The bacteria produce extremely potent toxins, which are responsible for the ill effects. Anthrax spores are extremely resistant and can survive in the environment for decades, making the control or eradication of the disease very difficult.
