Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Anthrax Guidelines for Preparedness, Response and Management following the deliberate release of Bacillus anthracis

This document provides technical information about the management of threat, or an outbreak, of anthrax.

The guidelines supplement the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in case of an outbreak of cutaneous, inhalational or intestinal anthrax. The document was provided to States and Territories as guidelines to assist in the development of their anthrax response plans and to outline the role of DoHA in an anthrax emergency.

Australia has a system of code levels that change with the risk of an anthrax outbreak. The main body of this document provides operational guidelines for each of the levels. Detailed information on specific topics is given in the relevant areas of the text, which may be used by the States and Territories to develop specific SOPs which fit their particular situations and infrastructures.

While this document provides guidance for health-care workers, the most important action if a case, or suspected case, of anthrax were to occur in Australia would be to seek expert advice from the relevant State or Territory public health unit. Phone numbers for each State and Territory are included in these guidelines.

PDF printable version of Anthrax Guidelines for Preparedness, Response and Management Following the Deliberate Release of Bacillus anthracis (PDF 2695 KB)


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