Anthrax
If you have been exposed to blood or body fluids from an animal with anthrax, wash the area with soap and water and contact your doctor immediately.
Key facts
- Anthrax is a rare but serious disease caused by bacteria found in infected animals and soil.
- It most often causes a skin infection but can also affect your gut or lungs.
- Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics — the sooner the better.
- If you work with infected animals, wear protective equipment to prevent catching anthrax.
- Anthrax is not contagious between people but can spread through contact with infected animals or animal products.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax, also known as 'wool-sorter's disease', is a serious infectious disease. It is caused by a type of bacteria called as bacillus anthracis. These bacteria come in the form of spores. Spores are small cells that can survive in the environment for a long time. They are found in soil or on the bodies of animals and can cause anthrax infections.
Anthrax is rare in Australia. However, it still happens in animals, mainly in the 'anthrax belt'. This area stretches from northern Victoria through western New South Wales and into southern Queensland.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
There are 3 types of anthrax infections, each form a different disease with different symptoms. The type of anthrax depends on how the bacteria enter your body.
Cutaneous (skin) anthrax
Cutaneous anthrax appears on the skin, usually 2 to 7 days after exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms may include:
- an itchy, painless bump on exposed areas of your body
- a bump that develops into a blister, which develops into an ulcer (sore) with a black and sunken appearance
- swollen and red skin around the sore
Most people recover from cutaneous anthrax. If it's not treated, it can spread to your blood and make you very sick.
This is the only type of anthrax recorded in Australia.
Intestinal (gut) anthrax
Intestinal anthrax occurs when anthrax spores are ingested. Symptoms usually begin between 1 to 6 days after exposure. It is often fatal. Symptoms may include:
If untreated, the infection can lead to sepsis or death.
Inhalational (lung) anthrax
This infection causes flu-like symptoms at first, followed by more severe symptoms. These typically develop 1 to 7 days after exposure but may take up to 60 days to appear. Symptoms may include:
- fever
- fatigue
- mild chest pain
- cough
- followed by severe difficulty breathing and collapse
Most people with inhalational anthrax do not survive without timely treatment.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
How is anthrax spread?
Anthrax is not spread from person to person. You can catch it through contact with infected animals. In rare situations you can catch it by exposure to anthrax spores.
- Cutaneous anthrax happens when bacteria enter your body through broken skin or wounds. You are at higher risk of developing cutaneous anthrax if you work with infected animals or their hair, wool, bone or hide.
- Intestinal anthrax develops from eating meat from infected animals, particularly if it is undercooked.
- Inhalational anthrax is caused by breathing bacterial spores into your lungs. This usually affects people who work with animal hides or products. There have been rare situations overseas where anthrax spores were sent through the mail intentionally.
Anthrax spores are found in Australian soil and can stay there for many years. They may infect animals that graze in these areas. It is unlikely for humans to catch anthrax from soil.
When should I see my doctor?
If you think you have been exposed to blood or body fluids from an animal with anthrax, contact your doctor straight away. Wash the area with soap and water. You may prescribe preventive antibiotics.
Look out for any new symptoms and see a doctor immediately if you develop:
- fever
- cough or trouble breathing
- aches and pains
- sores on your skin
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How is anthrax diagnosed?
Your doctor may suspect cutaneous anthrax based on what your skin sores look like, your health history and symptoms. A laboratory test can confirm anthrax by testing a sample of:
- blood
- mucus
- a swab from a sore
Anthrax is a notifiable disease in Australia. All suspected and confirmed cases must be reported to public health authorities and the department of primary industries (DPI).
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
How is anthrax treated?
Anthrax is treated immediately with antibiotics. If there is a chance you been exposed to anthrax, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent illness. Depending on the type and the severity, you may need to take antibiotics by mouth (as tablets) or into your vein (intravenous or IV).
For lung anthrax, specialised medicines may also be used.
For skin anthrax, a health professional may need to remove the black scab. Once healed, you may see a plastic surgeon if you would like to improve how the scar looks.
You will be closely monitored during treatment to check for any complications.
What are the complications of anthrax?
Anthrax is a severe and serious bacterial infection. If left untreated, it can spread to other places in your body and lead to complications, such as:
Can anthrax be prevented?
Anthrax cases in livestock are reported occasionally in Australia. This can happen all year round, especially in summer or after the weather changes. Farmers who suspect anthrax in their animals must follow strict procedures to control its spread. This includes:
- isolating the farm
- carefully disposing of dead animals
- vaccinating other animals
Vaccines are available for animals to protect them from anthrax. There is no human vaccine for anthrax in Australia.
If you work with infected animals or their carcasses, take the following precautions to protect yourself:
- Wear gloves, disposable overalls, a mask, eye protection and rubber boots. Learn the proper way to remove your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Use insect repellent.
- Cover any broken skin with sealed waterproof dressings.
- Wash your hands and shower with soap before contact with people or healthy animals.
- Put any clothes that may be contaminated in sealed double plastic bags. If anthrax is confirmed, these should be incinerated or sterilised at 121°C for 30 minutes.
If you have been exposed to a large amount of anthrax spores, speak to your doctor about taking antibiotics to prevent illness.
Resources and support
If you own livestock and suspect a case of anthrax, call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 immediately to report it.
Read the government emergency response plan for managing a deliberate release of anthrax in Australia, or call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
Read the Ausvet Anthrax manual for more information on Australia's policies for anthrax management.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Other languages
Health Translations provides translated information on anthrax in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.
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Last reviewed: November 2024
