anthrax case in Florida
- Thread starter WriterDom
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MissTaken
Biker Chick
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You have to wonder ....
First of all, the case is in Fla. Several of the terrorists were in Fla. It is the type of Anthrax that is most dangerous as it is transmitted via inhaling versus ingesting or touching.
Secondly, CDC says that it is an isolated case. Then, the spokesman for CDC said that they need to check in Fla and NC to see if anyone else is infected.
Thirdly, this announcement the day after the big shot with regard to Disease Control and public health addressed the congress with regard to preparation for Anthrax and other bio chemical threats.
I am not posting to be an alarmist. I am posting this because it has been weighing heavily on my mind.
First of all, the case is in Fla. Several of the terrorists were in Fla. It is the type of Anthrax that is most dangerous as it is transmitted via inhaling versus ingesting or touching.
Secondly, CDC says that it is an isolated case. Then, the spokesman for CDC said that they need to check in Fla and NC to see if anyone else is infected.
Thirdly, this announcement the day after the big shot with regard to Disease Control and public health addressed the congress with regard to preparation for Anthrax and other bio chemical threats.
I am not posting to be an alarmist. I am posting this because it has been weighing heavily on my mind.
Mischka
Ms Snooby Pants
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Completely different part of Florida. And they suspect that he contracted the anthrax while in NC. Even if terrorists were doing a test run on an anthrax epidemic, don't you think they'd release it in a more heavily populated area?MissTaken said:
Here's cnn's version of the story:
http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/10/04/us.anthraxcase.ap/index.html
G
Guest
Guest
The important thing for the authorities to do in this case is take a thorough history from this guy and see what kind of exposures this guy had. Anthrax is a bacterial disease typically found in livestock and it's typically not found in US herds. Still, Americans occasionally get infected by handling animal hides from foreign countries. The anthrax bacillus forms a very hearty and resilient spore that can lie inert for years before becoming reanimated after being inhaled by someone stirring it up by handling a hide covered with spores. I remember learning a series of cases of anthrax in workers handling goat-hair rugs and drums from Haiti. Hopefully this guy will have some sort of exposure like this which would indicate this is an isolated incident.
It's important to remember that anthrax is infectious but it's not communicable (it can be caught by inhaling spores, but can't be passed from an infected person to a non-infected person). There's no reason to freak out here yet.
It's important to remember that anthrax is infectious but it's not communicable (it can be caught by inhaling spores, but can't be passed from an infected person to a non-infected person). There's no reason to freak out here yet.
Oliver Clozoff
SirRealism
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"c" is for "cookie"
that was me. Who else loves to talk infectious disease?
that was me. Who else loves to talk infectious disease?
Oliver Clozoff
SirRealism
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Quite right, Wiz...
I don't have any knowledge of this specific case outside of these media reports. I do think that this will probably turn out to be much like the "shark attack crisis" this summer when increased reporting of attacks leant the impression of a much increased risk of attacks when this wasn't actually the case at all (the number of attacks didn't increase, but much more publicity was given to attacks that did occur). Our country is hyper-alert to potential terrorism right now. Ordinarily a case like this wouldn't merit a whole lot of attention.
I don't have any knowledge of this specific case outside of these media reports. I do think that this will probably turn out to be much like the "shark attack crisis" this summer when increased reporting of attacks leant the impression of a much increased risk of attacks when this wasn't actually the case at all (the number of attacks didn't increase, but much more publicity was given to attacks that did occur). Our country is hyper-alert to potential terrorism right now. Ordinarily a case like this wouldn't merit a whole lot of attention.
Oliver Clozoff
SirRealism
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Bring it on, fishy!
Starfish said:
La Huesera
see how high she flies
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The news also said that it can be found in dirt. They said that the man that has it is an outdoors kinda guy so that may have be how he got it.
morninggirl5
Secret Dream Machine
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Okay, now I'm really mad. Somebody find out where the hell he got it in the next 24 hours please. This is fucking up my weekend racing plans and that is definitely NOT a good thing.
MissTaken
Biker Chick
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Yes. We are hyper alert to anything that could potentially look like a terrorist attack. I would admit to being one of those that tends to over react to what i hear and read.
This is exactly why I posted on this thread, for feedback and to gain some perspective.
Thank you all
This is exactly why I posted on this thread, for feedback and to gain some perspective.
Thank you all
G
Guest
Guest
Ummm....there was an anthrax case in Las Vegas about 3-4 years ago. From what I remember, the doctor who was in possession of it belonged to some extremist group. It ended up that he didn't plan on using it for bio-terrorism, but it was still quite scary nonetheless. I'm not sure how this recent one in Florida could be the only anthrax case in the last thirty years considering the Las Vegas events.
