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Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)

The mail-order mother of all biological weapons.

Sizes:

Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) GMUS-PD-0015
$12.95
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Product Details

Additional Information

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Sizes Giantmicrobes are based on actual microbes, cells, organisms and other critters, only 1,000,000 times actual size!
Gigantic (GG) 16-24"
XL (XL) 10-15"
Original (PD) 5-8"
Keychain (KC) 2-4" with clip
Materials Plush from all new materials. Stuffed with polyester fiber fill. Surface washable: sponge with water & soap, air dry.
Packaging Each plush microbe includes a printed card with fun, educational and fascinating facts about the actual microbe or cell.
Safety Every product meets or exceeds U.S. and European standards for safety. For ages 3 and up.

All about Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)

Though the word “anthrax” conjures up fearsome thoughts of biological weapons, anthrax is a once-common disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which is often found in soil. It primarily afflicts grazing animals such as horses, goats, sheep, and cattle. Indeed, the fifth plague of the Bible (widespread death of livestock) may be a description of an anthrax outbreak – as well as the sixth plague, which describes the skin boils typically found after human exposure to infected animals or animal products.

Nearly all human anthrax infections are found on the skin. These infections are uncommon, rarely fatal, and more or less non-contagious. By contrast, gastrointestinal and inhalational anthrax infections – which result from ingesting or inhaling anthrax – can be deadly.

Because anthrax is non-contagious, can be deadly, and can form durable, long-lived spores, it has long been considered a prime candidate for weaponization. Fortunately, manufacture of large spore quantities is complicated and dangerous. In addition, high levels of exposure to anthrax spores are required to cause infection, and most wide-spread dispersion methods would significantly dilute spore concentration.

A limited quantity of anthrax vaccine is currently available to individuals with an elevated risk of infection (such as military personnel and veterinarians). In addition, experimental evidence suggests that immediate treatment with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin can provide an effective response to anthrax exposure – and help ward off a modern outbreak of biblical proportions.

 
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