Investigation of inhalation anthrax case, United States

Emerg Infect Dis. 2014 Feb;20(2):280-3. doi: 10.3201/eid2002.130021.

Abstract

Inhalation anthrax occurred in a man who vacationed in 4 US states where anthrax is enzootic. Despite an extensive multi-agency investigation, the specific source was not detected, and no additional related human or animal cases were found. Although rare, inhalation anthrax can occur naturally in the United States.

Keywords: Bacillus anthracis; United States; anthrax; bacteria; epidemiology; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthrax / diagnosis
  • Anthrax / microbiology*
  • Bacillus anthracis / genetics*
  • Bacillus anthracis / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Inhalation Exposure*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multilocus Sequence Typing
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology*
  • Spores, Bacterial / pathogenicity*
  • Travel
  • United States

Supplementary concepts

  • Inhalation anthrax