In the infamous anthrax attacks of 2001, several letters were received at the offices of two U. S. senators and verious new media outlets. the letters contained dry granular or powdery material. Seventeen people who came in contact with material from the letters suffered anthrax infections; five more died of anthrax. How could dried-out material cause anthrax?

Question

Brennan Frey

Biology

1 October, 06:33

In the infamous anthrax attacks of 2001, several letters were received at the offices of two U. S. senators and verious new media outlets. the letters contained dry granular or powdery material. Seventeen people who came in contact with material from the letters suffered anthrax infections; five more died of anthrax. How could dried-out material cause anthrax?

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Answers (1)

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Mylee Davila · Answer 1

The dry-out material contains spores of anthrax-causing bacteria

Explanation:

Anthrax is a disease caused by a bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Susceptible animals get infected by anthrax when the spore of the bacteria gets into their bodies, become activated, multiply and produce toxins.

The spore serves primarily as a propagating structure and also as an agent for transmitting infections. It can be transmitted by air, water, food or any other means. Bacterial spores usually have the capability to tolerate harsh environmental conditions and only become inactivated when conditions are favourable.

The dry granular powdery material constituent of the letters received by the U. S. senators must have been spores of Bacillus anthrasis