Anthrax is a disease of herbivores caused by the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It can affect cattle, sheep, swine, horses and various species of wildlife. The routes for the spread among wildlife are reviewed. There are three kinds of human anthrax – inhalation, cutaneous, and intestinal anthrax – which differ in their routes of infection and outcomes. In the United States, confirmation of cases is made by the isolation of B. anthracis and by biochemical tests. Vaccination is not recommended for the general public; civilians who should be vaccinated include those who, in their work places, come in contact with products potentially contaminated with B. anthracis spores, and people engaged in research or diagnostic activities. After September 11, 2001, there were bioterrorism anthrax attacks in the United States: anthrax-laced letters sent to multiple locations were the source of infectious B. anthracis. The US Postal Service issued recommendations to prevent the danger of hazardous exposure to the bacterium. B. anthracis spores can spread easily and persist for very long times, which makes decontamination of buildings very difficult. Early detection, rapid diagnosis, and well-coordinated public health response are the key to minimizing casualties. The US Government is seeking new ways to deter bioterrorism, including a tighter control of research on infectious agents, even though pathogens such as B. anthracis are widely spread in nature and easy to grow. It is necessary to define the boundary between defensive and offensive biological weapons research. Deterring bioterrorism should not restrict critical scientific research.

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应对生物恐怖主义的威胁：微生物生态学的观点-炭疽病例。

炭疽是由革兰氏阳性炭疽杆菌引起的食草动物疾病。它会影响牛，羊，猪，马和各种野生动植物。审查了在野生动植物中传播的路线。人体炭疽有三种，即吸入性，皮肤性和肠道炭疽，其感染途径和预后不同。在美国，通过分离炭疽芽孢杆菌和通过生化试验来确认病例。不建议普通民众接种疫苗；应该接种疫苗的平民包括在工作场所接触了可能受到炭疽杆菌污染的产品的人孢子，以及从事研究或诊断活动的人员。2001年9月11日之后，美国发生了生物恐怖主义的炭疽热袭击：寄往多个地方的炭疽病信件是传染性炭疽杆菌的来源。美国邮政总局发布了一些建议，以防止危险地暴露于细菌中。炭疽芽孢杆菌的孢子很容易散开并持续很长时间，这使得建筑物的净化非常困难。尽早发现，快速诊断和协调良好的公共卫生应对措施是最大限度地减少人员伤亡的关键。美国政府正在寻求遏制生物恐怖主义的新方法，包括更严格地控​​制传染原的研究，即使诸如炭疽杆菌等病原体也是如此。在自然界中广泛传播并且易于生长。有必要界定防御性和进攻性生物武器研究之间的界限。遏制生物恐怖主义不应限制重要的科学研究。