Anthrax is short for Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is a spore-forming bacterium.
Most often anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is found in livestock like cattle, horses, sheep, goats, camels, and wild game animals like deer.    In many parts of the world anthrax is just part of the normal bacterial makeup of the soil.  The Anthrax spores can remain dormant in the soil for quite some time.  When an animal or herd of them comes along the spores can become airborne with the kicking up of the dirt and enter, flourish, and infect their host.  Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is not common in developed countries.  Anthrax has been known to infect people that have used imported animal skins in manufacturing drums.  Animal skins can contain Anthrax spores. 

I am sure many people in the United States have heard of Anthrax but often have little understanding of where it comes from or how it can infect people.  There was an incident reported in 2001 where 22 people developed Anthrax from exposure through the mail and out of those 5 died.  So it is possible to become infected with this deadly bacterium from other types of exposure other than animals, meat or their hides.

There are three known ways to become infected with anthrax.  One is through a cut or break in the skin.  Most often this type is not fatal.  Signs of infection may include a raised bump like an insect bite that itches and rapidly changes into a sore with a black center. Nearby lymph glands can become inflamed as well. 

The next one is the digestive system.  This is caused from eating undercooked meat from an infected animal.  Signs are flu like at first, nausea, and swollen glands in neck, vomiting, fever, sore throat, loss of appetite.  Later symptoms become more severe with bloody, watery stools and vomiting. 

The last one which is the most deadly is inhalation of Anthrax spores.  Symptoms are much like having the flu at first including some discomfort in the chest.  These symptoms could go on for hours or even days and then progress into high fever, trouble breathing, and meningitis and shock. 

Getting diagnosed and receiving proper treatment immediately can save lives but often those that have inhaled the Anthrax spores and become infected do not recover.  

The possibility of someone in the United States contracting Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is thought to be rare, although seasonal outbreaks in the United States among livestock and game animals do occur. Those at high risk are military personnel (bioterrorism), people working in laboratories with Anthrax, game hunters, those working with animal skins, and those working in the field of veterinary medicine especially those working with livestock. 

Bacteria are airborne along with fungi, and viruses, it is essential to have the best in air filtration and purification in facilities that are at high risk for disseminating these deadly microbes into the air.   HVAC systems can pick up and spread these deadly microbes and possibly infect large groups of people within a confined area or building in a very short period of time.  

 The best way to solve this potential hazard is to kill the deadly microbes.   Photocatalytic Oxidation is the recognized technology that does destroy malignant microbes.  Zandair ^TM uses this advanced technology in their air purification/filtration systems.  Look at our products and see which one is right for you.  Call us with any questions or comments you may have. 

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