Contents:
Biological
Agents
Anthrax
How To Recognize
a Suspicious Package
What To Do
Smallpox
Virus
Disaster
Supplies Kit
Newsletter
Sources
University
News
This month’s Health in Our Hands newsletter will discuss different biological agents that could be involved in bioterrorism. Information that could be useful in a bioterrorism event is provided. This issue will focus on two well-known biological agents, anthrax and the smallpox virus.
Anthrax has recently made headlines
following several reported cases in the United States. Anthrax is
a disease caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria. This bacteria
produces infectious spores that can spread the disease. Anthrax usually
occurs in hoofed animals, but it can also affect humans. Humans can
contract this disease after touching or inhaling spores from a live or
dead infected animal. Humans can also catch the disease from eating
undercooked meat from an infected animal. The disease has three forms:
1) Cutaneous
2) Inhalation
3)Gastrointestinal
All three forms of the anthrax
disease are extremely rare in the United States. After a person is
exposed to anthrax, symptoms will vary according to the type of anthrax
exposure. Typically, symptoms can be seen within seven days of exposure.
Cutaneous anthrax infection
usually occurs through a cut or broken spot on the skin. It
starts out with a bump that resembles a mosquito bite. This spot
is usually located on the hand, but can be found on other body parts.
After a few days, this bump will turn into a painless, open sore with a
black center of dead tissue. Cutaneous anthrax is highly treatable
if it is recognized and treated early.
Inhaled anthrax is a more serious
form of the disease. At this time, it is believed that a person has
to inhale several thousand spores before becoming infected. Before
these recent cases, the last U.S. case of inhalation anthrax occurred in
1978. It starts with symptoms like the common cold. It can
quickly progress to a severe case of pneumonia. This form of anthrax
is not contagious, but it is usually fatal without treatment.
Gastrointestinal anthrax is
the rarest form of anthrax infection in humans. This disease begins
with symptoms such as a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
As the disease progresses, it causes vomiting of blood, abdominal pain,
and severe diarrhea. This infection is fatal in 25-60% of cases.
Farm animals are vaccinated
against anthrax, but this vaccine should never be used on humans.
A human vaccine also exists, but it is only available to military personnel.
Doctors do not recommend anyone else being immunized for anthrax at this
time. The immunization requires an initial three shots that are given two
weeks apart. Another shot is given after six months, followed by
shots after 12 and 18 months. Annual booster shots must be given
each year to keep the anthrax vaccination current. Person-to-person spread
of anthrax is very unlikely.
Once anthrax is detected,
it is very important to start treatment as soon as possible. There
are several antibiotics available that anthrax is susceptible to.
These include: penicillin, doxycycline, and fluoroquinolones.
How To Recognize a Suspicious Package
The United
States Postal Service is working very hard to identify suspicious
packages before they are sent out to individuals. They have developed
ways to identify a suspicious package. Some signs to watch for include:
1) Any powdery substance on the outside on the envelope
2) Unexpected or unfamiliar return addresses
3) Envelopes with excessive postage, or a handwritten
or poorly typed address
4) No return address
5) Envelopes that are unusually heavy, or are lopsided
or strangely shaped
6) Envelopes with a large amount of tape
7) Envelopes with strange odors or stains
8) Envelopes marked with words such as “Personal” or
“Confidential”
9) Envelopes addressed to people who no longer live or
work with you
10) City or State in the postmark does not match the
return address
11) Envelopes with protruding wires or aluminum foil
If you receive a letter or package
that you suspect could be contaminated, do not panic. Follow these
steps and report the incident as soon as possible to local authorities.
1) Do not open or shake the suspicious envelope or package.
2) Place the item into a plastic bag or another type
of sealable container.
3) Leave the room where the suspicious item is.
Close the door, and do not allow others into the room.
4) Wash your hands well with soap and water.
5) If you are at home, notify local police immediately.
If you are at work, notify local police and your building supervisor.
6) Remove outer clothing as soon as possible and seal
in a plastic bag. Shower with soap and water as soon as possible.
7) Provide authorities with a list of all people who
were in the room or who could have possibly been exposed to the threat.
Unlike anthrax, smallpox is a
virus that can be spread from person to person. It is caused by the
variola virus. Smallpox is usually spread through the air by infected saliva
droplets. It infects about 30% of the people who are exposed.
Smallpox can also be spread through infected blankets, linen, and clothing.
People with smallpox are most contagious during the first week they are
sick, but they can be contagious until all the scabs have fallen off. Symptoms
are not usually seen until about 12 days after exposure (range is 7-17
days). These symptoms start like typical flu symptoms. Persons
may experience body aches, headaches, fatigue, high fever, nausea, and
vomiting. In 2-3 days after the initial symptoms appear, a
rash will form, usually on the legs, arms, and face. The rash begins
as flat, red lesions that eventually become pus-filled. They begin
to develop a crust in the second week. Scabs will then form and fall
off after three-four weeks.
Vaccination for smallpox is
the only way to prevent contracting the disease. However, the disease
was eradicated from the world in the late 1970s, and routine vaccinations
were stopped in 1972. The level of immunity in people who were vaccinated
before 1972 is uncertain. These people are considered susceptible
at this time. Vaccination is not recommended at this time for the
general public. If people are exposed to smallpox, the vaccine can
be given within four days of exposure. The vaccine can lessen the
severity of the illness or may even prevent the illness from occurring.
The United States government currently has an emergency supply of the vaccine.
The Red Cross recommends keeping
a disaster supplies kit in your home to prepare for any sort of disaster,
whether it is a tornado or a terrorist attack. The six basics for
the kit include: food, water, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding,
tools and emergency supplies, and special items such as items for infants
or the elderly. Special items can include medications, important
family documents, or baby supplies. Keep these items together in
a container that can be easily carried. Store this container with
the supplies in a location that is easily accessible. For a complete
list of the items that the Red
Cross recommends using in a Disaster Supplies Kit, look
on www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/supplies.html
.
Sources
for this newsletter include:
Center for Disease Control-
http://www.cdc.gov/
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/
Saint Louis University School of Public Health -
http://www.slu.edu/colleges/sph/bioterrorism/
United States Postal Service -
http://www.usps.com/news/2001/press/pr01_1010tips.htm
* The 4th annual Ladies’ Night Out Seminar will be Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the ASU Convocation Center, lower red entrance, from 5:45-8:30. Dinner will be provided. Featured speakers include: Dr. Beata Majewski - Rheumatology, Dr. Charles Barker - OB/Gynecology, and Dr. Kenneth Chan - Neurology. Topics include fibromyalgia, menopause, and migraines. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 1-800-722-6686.
* Jay Holland, a graduate student in the Physical Therapy Program, is conducting a research study entitled “Assumed Risk Factors and Their Relationship to Low Back Pain During Childbearing.” The study is open to any woman who has given birth to at least one child. The study involves a survey questionnaire. For more information, contact Jay Holland at ext. 3591 or by email at hollandjay@hotmail.com .
* Aerobics classes are being offered on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15 in the Dance Studio at the HPESS Building.
ooOoo
The Arkansas State University
Employee Wellness Newsletter is published monthly during the academic year
by the College of Nursing and Health
Professions. Health questions can be addressed to Dean Susan
Hanrahan, Ph. D., ext. 3112 or hanrahan@astate.edu
.
Produced by Kimberly McGaughey, graduate student in the
College of Nursing and Health Professions,
Physical Therapy Program.