The most obvious method of preventing yourself becoming infected is to avoid areas that are likely to contain Anthrax spores. This is especially pertinent if you work with livestock (who may naturally carry the bacterium) or in a laboratory environment. It is, of course, extremely difficult to protect yourself against acts of terrorism.

In case of bioterrorist attack, various degrees of protective clothing available. Anthrax is classified as 'Bio-safety level 2', based upon is virulence on a scale up to 4, where 4 specifies organisms for which there are no treatments, such as Ebola or Haemorrhagic Fever. In such conditions, doctors or laboratory staff would wear the maximum protection available, such as the suit below. To protect against Anthrax, gloves and a face-mask with a porosity no greater than 5 microns will be sufficient. This was the advice given to US Mail workers during the Anthrax attacks following the September 11th attacks on Washington and New York.

Fig. 1: Bio-safety level 4 protection suit. Source.



Fig. 2: Facemask sufficient for Anthrax protection. Source.

What treatments are available if I do become infected?

If you do become infected, the most commonly used treatment is the antibiotic Cipro, or Ciprofloxacin, which can be used against a number of microorganism infections. It is defined as a "a broad-spectrum, synthetic antimicrobial agent active", and available from in most countries.

Depending on what type of Anthrax infection you are infected with, either cutaneous or inhalation, the chances of survival if treated withing 72 days of symptoms is 95% and 70% respectively.

Stockpiling and overuse of Cipro can be dangerous, and increases the likely of resistant straings.

Fig 3. Cipro, produced by the German Pharmaceutical company Bayer. Source.



More information:

:: "Anthrax FAQ - Preventive therapy" - US CDC. Accessed: 11/3/03
:: "Anti-anthrax drug overuse sparks fears" - BBC News. Publish: 11/09/01 Access: 12/3/03