What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is a naturally occurring disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It is an illness which has been recognized since antiquity. Anthrax was common in essentially all areas where livestock are raised. Anthrax spores can remain viable for several decades under suitable environmental conditions; thus, absence of cases does not equate to absence of risk.
The most common form of the disease in humans is cutaneous anthrax, which is usually acquired via injured skin or mucous membranes. A minor scratch or abrasion, usually on an exposed area of the face or neck or arms, is inoculated by spores from contaminated objects. Anthrax begins to develop and grow, eventually maturing into necrotic ulcers from which Anthrax can spread again. Lymphatic swelling also occurs within seven days. In severe cases, where the blood stream is eventually invaded, the disease is frequently fatal.
Humans can contract anthrax in three ways:
- Through cuts or breaks in the skin resulting from contact with an infected animal (cutaneous anthrax), resulting in local and possibly systemic (bloodstream) infection.
- From breathing in of anthrax spores (termed "woolsorters" disease) resulting in an infection of lungs (inhalational anthrax).
- From eating infected meat, resulting in gastrointestinal infection (gastrointestinal anthrax). Gastrointestinal anthrax is generally not considered a threat to U.S. forces.
Symptoms of Anthrax:
- Symptoms of anthrax begin after a 1 to 6 day incubation period following exposure.
- For cutaneous anthrax, itching will occur at the site of exposure followed by the formation of a lesion. Untreated contact anthrax has a fatality rate of 5-20 percent, but with effective treatment, few deaths occur.
- Initial symptoms for inhalational anthrax are generally non-specific: low grade fever, a dry hacking cough, and weakness. The person may briefly improve after 2 to 4 days; however within 24 hours after this brief improvement, respiratory distress occurs with shock and death following shortly thereafter. Almost all cases of inhalational anthrax, in which treatment was begun after patients have exhibited symptoms, have resulted in death, regardless of post-exposure treatment.
Anthrax is the preferred biological warfare agent because:
- It is highly lethal.
- 100 million lethal doses per gram of anthrax material (100,000 times deadlier than the deadliest chemical warfare agent).
- Silent, invisible killer.
- Inhalational anthrax is virtually always fatal.
- There are low barriers to production.
- Low cost of producing the anthrax material.
- Not high-technology. Knowledge is widely available.
- Easy to produce in large quantities.
- It is easy to weaponize.
- It is extremely stable. It can be stored almost indefinitely as a dry powder.
- It can be loaded, in a freeze-dried condition, in munitions or disseminated as an aerosol with crude sprayers.
- Currently, we have a limited detection capability.
How to protect your skin against Anthrax?
To address the potential danger of population's exposure to Anthrax spores BioNova presents BioDefender™ a new personal care formula capable of protecting the skin against potential biological warfare threats. BioNova's research and nano-technological advancements make it possible to combine proven anti-bacterial substances with antioxidant complexes in a singular personal care formula that:
- is a superior bacterial invasion control spray. Defends against biological weapons & common infections. Protects skin against deadly microorganisms, disinfects mail, office and household supplies
- helps fight bacteria reducing the risk of contamination. Increases skin's natural resistance to infections, helping to eliminate majority of bacteria within 30 seconds of contact
Use this superior bacteriological invasion control spray to protect your skin against Anthrax, other biological weapons and common infections.
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