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Anthrax


Anthrax in Washington State
Nine cases of human anthrax have been recorded in Washington State since 1924; the last human case of anthrax occurred in 1954. Potential exposures in Washington for cutaneous anthrax include out of state or international animal products (meat, hides, wool, hair, bone meal) or travel to areas where anthrax is endemic. A single case of pulmonary anthrax would be suggestive of bioterrorism.

Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance

  • To identify rare diseases associated with travel.

  • To identify sources of transmission in the US (e.g., imported wool, livestock, or soil) and to stop transmission from such sources.

  • To raise the index of suspicion of a possible bioterrorism event if no natural exposure source is identified.

Reporting Requirements

  • Health care providers: immediately notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction

  • Hospitals: immediately notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction

  • Laboratories: immediately notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction, specimen submission required

  • Local health jurisdictions: suspected or confirmed cases are immediately notifiable to DOH Communicable Disease Epidemiology: 1-877-539-4344

Last update
Oct. 2006

Anthrax Resources

General Information

Public Fact Sheet
(Web format)

Reporting Forms

Anthrax
Reporting Form

(Word Format)
Anthrax
Reporting Form

(PDF Format)

Public Health and Health Care

Surveillance and Reporting Guidelines
(Web Format)
Surveillance and Reporting Guidelines
(PDF format)

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Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Office of Epidemiology
Washington State Department of Health
MS: K17-9, 1610 NE 150th St.
Shoreline, WA 98155-9701

Phone (206) 418-5500
FAX (206) 418-5515

24-hour contact (toll-free inside Washington State only) 1-877-539-4344
 

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