Anthrax is an infectious disease that is caused by the spore bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Although humans are not the primary hosts for anthrax, they can contract the disease. Anthrax is most commonly found in vertebrate herbivores, including sheep, cattle, goats, antelope, and many others. As can be seen from the list of susceptible animals, anthrax is not only dangerous to humans, but a threat to nations as well. With many regions relying on livestock as a primary export, such as South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, an outbreak of anthrax could be devastating on the economy. As was seen in Europe over the years, even the possibility of an outbreak can lead to the slaughter of thousands of heads of cattle. In addition to the killing of livestock, the threat of contamination can lead to the inability of the outbreak region to export any product. For these reasons an outbreak can a nation's economy. Not only can Anthrax affect an area economically, but physically as well. Although not as common, anthrax can be contracted by humans. There are three ways in which infection can occur: through the skin, inhalation, and gastrointestinal. In order for the bacterium to be transferred through the skin it must come from the infected animal part and enter into a cut or abrasion. Gastrointestinal contraction occurs from eating infected meat. Both of these ways of infection are about 20% lethal, but proper antibiotic treatment is very successful. The third way to contract the disease, inhalation, is the most lethal and of most concern to the general population. If contracted and left untreated, inhalation anthrax is almost always fatal (CDC, 2002). Because of its fatality rate, ease of prduction and, ease of distribution, inhalation anthrax is a major concern for biological warfare. For this reason it has become important to understand the ways in which Anthrax affects the body.