DefinitionAnthrax is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. Infection in humans most often involves the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, or the lungs.See also: Inhaltion anthraxAlternative NamesWoolsorter's disease; Ragpicker's disease; Cutaneous anthrax; Gastrointestinal anthraxCauses, incidence, and risk factorsAnthrax commonly affects hoofed animals such as sheep and goats, but humans who come into contact with the infected animals can get sick from anthrax, too. In the past, the people who were most at risk for anthrax included farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers.There are three main routes of anthrax infection:Cutaneous anthrax occurs when anthrax touches a cut or scrape on the skin.Inhalation anthrax develops when anthrax spores ent