Anthrax Death Rate

The anthrax death rate (the percentage of people who die from the disease) depends on a number of factors, including the type of anthrax, the strain of anthrax bacteria, how early the anthrax is diagnosed, and the patient's age and general health. The cutaneous anthrax death rate is 20 percent without antibiotic treatment and less than 1 percent with it. There have not been enough cases of inhalation anthrax to know the precise anthrax death rate. The gastrointestinal anthrax death rate is estimated to be 25 to 60 percent.

Anthrax -- The Disease

Anthrax Death Rate: An Overview

The anthrax death rate is the percentage of people who die from the disease. The anthrax death rate will depend on a number of factors, including:

The type of anthrax (see Types of Anthrax)
How early anthrax is diagnosed
How early anthrax treatment is started
The strain of anthrax bacteria (Bacillus anthracis)
The patient's age and general health.

Cutaneous Anthrax Death Rate

Cutaneous anthrax is usually cured with antibiotics. The cutaneous anthrax death rate is 20 percent without antibiotic treatment and less than 1 percent with it.

Inhalation Anthrax Death Rate

There have not been enough cases of inhalation anthrax to know the specific anthrax death rate for this type of the disease. Although death rates for inhalation anthrax are based on incomplete information, the inhalation anthrax death rate is extremely high, approximately 75 percent, even with all possible supportive care and appropriate antibiotics.

Gastrointestinal Anthrax Death Rate

The gastrointestinal anthrax death rate is estimated to be 25 to 60 percent. The impact of early antibiotic treatment on the anthrax death rate is unknown.