Learn about Anthrax

 

Overview : Four people have died from inhalation anthrax infections. Authorities are conducting investigations to determine what happened and how these individuals were exposed. Use this article and the discussion questions and activities that follow to help students understand what anthrax is and how it can be prevented. Challenge students to investigate biological warfare throughout history and determine what it especially threatening to humans in the modern world.

Curriculum Connections: Health, Current Issues

Have students read the CNNfyi.com article "Backgrounder: 10 things you need to know about anthrax", and ask the following questions:

1. What is anthrax? Why has anthrax become a current issue? In what U.S. cities has anthrax been detected? How many individuals have died as a result? Have any others been exposed to anthrax? Explain.

2. What are the three ways by which humans can be infected with anthrax? Is anthrax contagious among humans? What is cutaneous anthrax? How might one contract cutaneous anthrax? What is the incubation period for this disease? What symptoms first develop? What happens if this disease is left untreated? Are there any treatments for cutaneous anthrax? Explain.

3. Refer students to online resources to learn more about anthrax and the anthrax vaccination. Pose the following questions to guide students' research:

• What are the symptoms of anthrax?
• How is anthrax transmitted?
• Is there a way to prevent infection?
• What is the protocol for anthrax vaccination?
• Are there adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine?
• Why does the U.S. Department of Defense require men and women in the Armed Services to be vaccinated against anthrax? After students share their findings, have them discuss whether or not they think U.S. civilians should be vaccinated for anthrax. Compose a class resource on the facts surrounding anthrax and make copies of it available to other classes.

  4. What is bioterrorism? Inform students that biological warfare is as old as war itself. The ancient Romans are thought to have initiated the practice of biological warfare by dumping diseased animals into the drinking water of their enemies, thus making their enemies sick and affecting their morale. Have students work in groups to learn more about biological warfare throughout history and share their information. Discuss what makes biological warfare especially threatening to the human species in the modern world.

  Teachers: For more information on anthrax, you may wish to direct your students to Harcourt's AP Dictionary of Science and Technology.

  
  
  
  

  RELATED STORIES: • Anthrax: Supreme Court to open, limit entrants November 2, 2001 •  In-Depth Specials

  RELATED SITES: • National Institutes of Health (NIH) • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • CDC Programs In Brief - Bioterrorism • Welcome to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies Note: Pages will open in a new browser window External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.