Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Anthrax risk factors
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Risk factors for contracting anthrax include handling of livestock or livestock products, playing animal hide drums, working in a laboratory researching anthrax, and traveling to an endemic region such as Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and southwestern Asia, Southern and eastern Europe, or the Caribbean. Risk factors for anthrax in the setting of bioterrorism are: working as a mail handler, military personnel, or response worker.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
People at higher risk of being infected with anthrax include:[1]
- Veterinarians
- Laboratory professionals dealing the bacteria
- Health care workers
- Livestock producers
- People who handle animal products
- Mail handlers, military personnel, and response workers, in case of bioterrorism
- People who make or play animal hide drums
- Travelers, particularly to the follow areas:
- Central and South America
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Central and southwestern Asia
- Southern and eastern Europe
- The Caribbean
The following link of the Department of Labor can be used to determine whether or not one is at risk for an anthrax infection.[3]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]