Anthrax is thought to be an ancient illness. While there is no way to be completely sure, as it was not referred to as anthrax at the time, many scholars date anthrax all the way back to 700 BC during the periods of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (CDC, 2016). According to the CDC, “Many scholars think that in Moses’ time, during the 10 plagues of Egypt, anthrax may have caused what was known as the fifth plague, described as a sickness affecting horses, cattle, sheep, camels and oxen” (CDC, 2016). In addition to this, many scholars believe that anthrax was described by Homer in The Iliad and some even suggest that anthrax contributed to the fall of Rome (CDC, 2016). Fast-forward many years, and the first clinical description of anthrax was given by Maret in 1769 (CDC, 2016). This was a leap in
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The cutaneous form accounts for at least 90-95% of natural anthrax infections and while the gastrointestinal form is uncommon, it can occur in outbreaks associated with contaminated meat (Iowa State University, 2007). Natural cases of inhalation anthrax are rare; rather they are typically associated with acts of bioterrorism. (Iowa State University, 2007). The mortality rate varies with the form of anthrax. According to the center for Food Security and Public Health, “cutaneous anthrax is thought to be fatal in 5-20% of untreated cases, and less than 1% of patients treated with antibiotics” (Iowa State University). However, the mortality rate is extremely high for inhalational anthrax, even when treated appropriately with a 90-100% mortality rate. Mortality rates for gastrointestinal forms of anthrax are unknown, however it is estimated that they are somewhere in the range of 25-60% (Iowa State
The cutaneous form accounts for at least 90-95% of natural anthrax infections and while the gastrointestinal form is uncommon, it can occur in outbreaks associated with contaminated meat (Iowa State University, 2007). Natural cases of inhalation anthrax are rare; rather they are typically associated with acts of bioterrorism. (Iowa State University, 2007). The mortality rate varies with the form of anthrax. According to the center for Food Security and Public Health, “cutaneous anthrax is thought to be fatal in 5-20% of untreated cases, and less than 1% of patients treated with antibiotics” (Iowa State University). However, the mortality rate is extremely high for inhalational anthrax, even when treated appropriately with a 90-100% mortality rate. Mortality rates for gastrointestinal forms of anthrax are unknown, however it is estimated that they are somewhere in the range of 25-60% (Iowa State