Correct!

Is it likely that the people eating meat from these cattle are affected by the same condition?

A.	Yes. They ingested anthrax-toxin produced in the diseased animal People ingesting meat from animals dead of anthrax would also ingest anthrax toxins, but these toxins are destroyed by the stomach acids. Therefore, the ingestion of the toxins without the organism doesn't cause any symptoms.
B.	Yes. They could have gastrointestinal anthrax. B. anthracis often becomes "septicemic" in infected animals. The organism is then carried with the blood to many tissues including the muscle. When meat is removed from the carcass B. anthracis is exposed to air and forms spores. Spores are very heat resistant and can survive cooking. Ingested spores germinate in the intestine, multiply and produce toxin. The fatality rate of gastrointestinal anthrax is about 50%!
C.	No. Bacillus anthracis is not viable in humans Bacillus anthoracis is very viable in human. Ingested spores germinate in the intestine, multiply and produce toxin. The fatality rate of gastrointestinal anthrax is about 50%!

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The Biology Project
University of Arizona
Tuesday, August 4, 1998
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