Anthrax (Bioterrorism agent)

Factsheet

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in warm-blooded animals, but can also infect humans.

Anthrax vaccine is not recommended for children under the age of 18. At this point it is not available commercially except to the military because of the risk military personnel may encounter in their work.

Disease Reporting

What is required?

Health care providers and clinical laboratories
Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of anthrax to local health departments immediately, day or night. Call 971-673-1111 to reach the state health department doctor on call.

Disease reporting form (pdf) for health-care practitioners

See disease reporting page for information on how to report and for telephone numbers of local health departments.

Investigative guidelines for anthrax (pdf)

For county health departments:
Anthrax: Case report form (pdf)

For reportable diseases lacking Oregon-specific investigative guidelines or case report forms, please call 971-673-1111 to contact the epidemiologist on call for assistance.

See Also

More facts and background info on anthrax and other possible biological agents
Public Health Division Preparedness Surveillance and Epidemiology Team
Guidelines and links for health-care providers and first responders
MMWR's Recommendations for use of anthrax vaccine in the United States (pdf)
CDC Vaccine Information Statements (English only)
CDC Vaccine Information Statements in other languages from the Immunization Action Coalition

Anthrax (Bioterrorism agent) search results

Anthrax (Bioterrorism agent)

Disease Reporting

Oregon.gov

Web Site Links

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