Animals are the usual victims of anthrax, but the disease has also plagued humans since ancient times. Human anthrax is not common, but medical experts estimate that between twenty and one hundred thousand cases occur globally each year. People of any age may be infected, usually by handling contaminated hides or eating infected meat. Most human victims are those people who work with animals or animal products, such as farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, wildlife workers, butchers, and woolworkers.

However, skin, wool, furs, ivory tusks, and other animal parts can harbor anthrax spores for years, spreading the disease to the general public. Unlike contagious diseases, anthrax is not spread from person to person.

Human anthrax is most common in regions where animal anthrax is widespread, such as parts of Africa, Asia, southern and eastern Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Australia, and the...