Health officials in Beijing reported a case of inhalation anthrax on Aug. 8. The patient, a resident of Chengde city in northern Hebei Province, had contact with infected animals, authorities said. The patient is quarantined and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Beijing, according to the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The patient was transported from Hebei to Beijing, four days after showing symptoms. Health officials said the patient had come into close contact with cattle, sheep, goats, and products derived from such animals. No further details were disclosed, including the patient’s personal information, during Monday’s press conference. Anthrax is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, usually transmitted from animals, especially ruminants such as cattle, goats, deer, and sheep. Although rare, humans can get anthrax if they come into contact with infected animals’ skin, fur, or meat. People in certain occupations that …