Anthrax is a disease caused by the spore-forming bacteria Bacillus anthracis. The name of
the bacteria derives from the Greek word for coal, because of the ulcers with dark centers that develop on the skin of affected people. Anthrax occurs on all the continents, causes
acute mortality in ruminants and is a zoonosis (a disease which primarily affects animals, but causes disease in humans). The bacteria produce extremely potent toxins which
are responsible for the ill effects, causing a high mortality rate. While most mammals are susceptible, anthrax is typically a disease of ruminants and humans.
Source: The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
