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Updated 10.24.01
Bacillus anthracis,
the organism that causes the deadly anthrax disease, gets its name from
the Greek word for coal, anthracis, because of its ability to cause black,
coal-like cutaneous eschars, or scabs.
Human infection can follow contact with infected animals or animal products
or from the release of anthrax spores. Anthrax was developed as part of
a larger biological weapons program by several countries, including the
Soviet Union and the United States, during the latter part of the 20th
century.
One outcome has been the mandatory vaccination against anthrax of U.S.
active duty and reserve military personnel. Perhaps even more threatening
to the general public is the thought of anthrax being used in individual
acts of terrorism.
The specter of anthrax has grown
in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, with cases reported in
Florida. To deal with the threat, federal and state governments and other
agencies have developed response plans and posted information about the
disease on the Web. Here is a sampling compiled by projo.com:
GENERAL INFO:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/
Emergency response plans to biological threats of several kinds, including
anthrax, from the federal Centers for Disease Control. Includes news updates
about the anthrax cases in Florida.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/
dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm
General information about anthrax from the CDC in the form of
frequently asked questions.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/
EID/vol5no4/inglesby.htm
Read this possible scenario of an anthrax attack on the northeast United
States, written by Thomas V. Inglesby, of the Johns Hopkins School of
Medicine.
http://www.hopkins-biodefense.org/
This comprehensive online resource by the Johns Hopkins University Center
for Civilian Biodefense Studies provides information on several disease
agents, bioterrorism threats and a look at a military exercise called
"Dark Winter" conducted last June at Andrews Air Force Base.
Anthrax information is featured at this link:
http://www.hopkins-biodefense.org
/pages/agents/agentanthrax.html
http://jama.ama-assn.org/
issues/v281n18/fig_tab/jst80027_ft.html
What does anthrax look like? View images posted as part of this
Journal of the American Medical Association article.
http://www.anthrax.osd.mil/
The Department of Defense site on anthrax, which details the threat, the
disease, the vaccine and its safety and effectiveness. It includes U.S.
military policy requiring anthrax vaccination for all active duty and
reserve personnel.
http://www.defenselink.mil/
other_info/qanda.html
Questions and answers from the U.S. Department of Defense about its
anthrax vaccination program.
http://www.usps.com/news/
2001/press/serviceupdates.htm
In the wake of the anthrax scares, U.S. Postal Service offers tips on
handling and reporting "suspicious" mail, as well as a downloadable,
printable poster summarizing the tips.
RHODE ISLAND INFO:
http://www.state.ri.us/
riema/sheltering.htm
Practical advice from Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency on how
to protect yourself -- in your home, vehicle or workplace -- from contaminated
air.
http://www.healthri.org/
environment/biot/instuctionsOct01.htm
Advice from the Rhode Island Department of Health on what steps to take
if you receive a suspicous mailing or other threat.
http://www.healthri.org/
environment/biot/anthrax_adv.htm
Anthrax information and advisories from the Rhode Island Department
of Health's bioterrorism preparedness site. Includes results of local
environmental tests for anthrax, notices to physicians from Dr. Patricia
Nolan, the department's director.
PRODUCT INFO:
http://www.bioport.com/
The Web site of BioPort, the only manufacturer of anthrax vaccine.
http://infections.bayer.com/treatment
/ciprofloxacin_ciprobay_en.html
Information about Cipro, an antibiotic prescribed as a treatment for
anthrax.
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Understanding
a deadly bacteria:
A Q&A from The Providence Journal
TAKE THE POLL
While exposure
to anthrax may not be a threat to most of us, what kind of precautions
against it are you taking, at work or at home?
Seeing the enemy:
Anthrax cells, above, compared to anthrax spores, below.
Testing for anthrax
An interactive look at common procedures used in testing
for anthrax bacteria in humans and on suspicious susbstances.
Get
the latest news from The Associated Press ...
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