Biological Terrorism

Pan Flu, Anthrax and Smallpox

The “threat of Biological Terrorism” has been heard often in the news since the attacks on September 11th. Though the risk is very low that you will encounter this kind of warfare, it is important to know the facts.

Biological terrorism is the intentional use of toxic micro-organisms to harm or kill people. Terrorists are most likely to use organisms that can be easily spread among people, such as infectious diseases.

Pan Flu

Pandemic Influenza

A pandemic is as a worldwide outbreak of disease. Currently, there is no pandemic flu among humans. However, one can occur when: a new (or novel) influenza A virus appears in humans, one for which we have little or no immunity, the virus causes serious illness, and the virus spreads easily from person to person. The impact that a pandemic would have on individuals, communities, the nation and the world will depend on its severity and the location(s) and speed in which human infections occur. Experts have suggested that if we experienced a pandemic similar in intensity as the 1918 Spanish flu, our economy would respond similarly to how it did during the depression. However, any size pandemic has the potential of changing the way we currently live our lives. An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery. A substantial percentage of the world's population will require some form of medical care. Health care facilities can be overwhelmed, creating a shortage of hospital staff, beds, and other supplies. Non traditional locations for medical care need to be created to cope with demand. The World Health Organization (WHO) uses a series of six phases of pandemic alert as a system for informing the world of the seriousness of the threat and of the need to launch progressively more intense preparedness activities. Each phase of alert coincides with a series of recommended activities to be undertaken by WHO, the international community, governments, industry, and citizens. The world is presently in phase 3: a new influenza virus subtype is causing disease in humans, but is not yet spreading efficiently and sustainably among humans. Click here for a brochure about pandemic flu.

Pandemic Flu is Different from Seasonal Flu

Pandemic flu differs significantly from the routine seasonal flu we see each year. Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available. Pandemic flu can have a much larger impact on individuals, communities and society as a whole. For additional information on seasonal flu visit: http://www.hhs.gov/flu. Anthrax

The most often talked-about form of Bio-terrorism is Anthrax. Anthrax can infect people through superficial cuts or wounds, the inhalation of anthrax spores, and by eating infected food. ANTHRAX IS NOT CONTAGIOUS the way a cold or flu is. It is treated with antibiotics and is completely treatable if identified quickly.

• Infection by skin contact: Most cases occur by skin contact. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that looks like an insect bite. Within 1-2 days, it develops into a boil-like sore and then a painless ulcer with a characteristic dark (dying) area in the center. The infection can also cause swelling of the lymph glands near the site. About 20% of untreated cases will result in death. With proper treatment, deaths from this type of anthrax are rare.

• Infection by inhalation: People who get anthrax by breathing in spores have symptoms that are like a common cold. After several days, the symptoms can progress to severe breathing problems and shock. This type of anthrax usually results in death in 1-2 days after the start of severe symptoms.

• Infection by ingestion: Intestinal infections from eating contaminated meat are rare. The infection causes severe inflammation of the intestinal tract. The first signs are nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever, followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.

What can you do if you are worried about Anthrax? Stay informed. Pay attention to public health announcements. The Centers for Disease Control is a good source of information about bio-terrorism. If you see anything suspicious, contact the Vacaville Police or Fire Department immediately.

Smallpox

Smallpox infection by natural causation was eliminated worldwide in 1977.

Smallpox is caused by variola virus. The incubation period is about 12 days (range: 7 to 17 days) following exposure. Initial symptoms include high fever, fatigue, and head and back aches. A characteristic rash, most prominent on the face, arms, and legs, follows in 2-3 days. The rash starts with flat red lesions that evolve at the same rate. Lesions become pus-filled and begin to crust early in the second week. Scabs develop and then separate and fall off after about 3-4 weeks. The majority of patients with smallpox recover, but death occurs in up to 30% of cases.

Smallpox is spread from one person to another by infected saliva droplets that expose a susceptible person having face-to-face contact with the ill person. Persons with smallpox are most infectious during the first week of illness, because that is when the largest amount of virus is present in saliva. However, some risk of transmission lasts until all scabs have fallen off.

Routine vaccination against smallpox ended in 1972. The level of immunity, if any, among persons who were vaccinated before 1972 is uncertain; therefore, these persons are assumed to be susceptible.

Vaccination against smallpox is not recommended to prevent the disease in the general public and therefore is not available at this time, except to medical personnel.

In people exposed to smallpox, the vaccine can lessen the severity of or even prevent illness if given within 4 days after exposure. Vaccine against smallpox contains another live virus called vaccinia. The vaccine does not contain smallpox virus.

The United States currently has an emergency supply of smallpox vaccine.

There is no proven treatment for smallpox but research to evaluate new antiviral agents is ongoing. Patients with smallpox can benefit from supportive therapy (intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain, etc.) and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that occur.

(Courtesy of the Phoenix Fire Department)