Question of the Day – Tuesday September 26, 2017

Answer: The highest case fatality rate associated with anthrax is seen in cases of anthrax meningitis. The cited reference notes “Anthrax meningitis, a result of hematogenous bacterial dissemination and meningeal seeding, can occur as a complication of all types of anthrax and has been noted in up to half of persons with inhalation anthrax cases. Anthrax meningitis is an expected complication during an anthrax mass-casualty incident.” (MMWR, Clinical Framework and Medical Countermeasure Use During an Anthrax Mass-Casualty Incident CDC Recommendations. December 4, 2015., 64(4). https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6404.pdf;accessed September 2017)