Bioterrorism Concerns FAQ
Revised November 5 2001
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, public concern regarding
a potential biological attack has heightened. The Johns
Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies received a steady stream
of phone calls from the general public seeking more information about
bioterrorism and ways to protect themselves.
In response, the Center prepared this set of "Frequently Asked Questions."
The Washington State Department of Health
has added information to this, as well. You may also want to contact your
local health department and physician for additional information.
Here are some additional links to resources we have identified:
FAQ Questions:
- What is being done about bioterrorism?
- Should I buy a gas mask?
- Should I have my own supply of antibiotics?
- Is it safe for me to drink water from the tap?
- What is smallpox?
- Shouldn't we all get vaccinated for smallpox?
- If I was vaccinated, am I still protected?
- Where can I get smallpox vaccine?
- What is anthrax?
- Is anthrax contagious?
- Where can I get anthrax vaccine?
- What is the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile?
- What can I do to protect my family and myself?
- What if my fear of bioterrorism is having a serious
impact on my family and work life?
- Where can I go for more information on bioterrorism
and preparedness?
1. What is being done about the threat
of bioterrorism?
In response to the threat of bioterrorism, Congress authorized the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to coordinate the effort
to upgrade national public health capability to counter bioterrorism.
Following this mandate, the CDC established the Bioterrorism
Preparedness and Response Program in 1999. Under this program, Washington
is developing the capacity to detect, communicate and respond to potential
bioterrorism events.
We have no evidence that Washington State is a target of bioterrorism.
The threat of bioterrorism was present before these attacks and we have
been planning and preparing the public health system to respond to this
threat.
2. Should I buy a gas mask?
No. Gas masks are largely ineffective against biological agents.
In addition, a gas mask would only protect you if you were wearing it
at the exact moment an attack occurred. Unfortunately, a release of a
biological agent is most likely to be done "covertly," that
is, without anyone knowing it. That means you would not know ahead of
time to put on your mask. To wear a mask continuously or "just in
case" a bioterrorist attack occurs, is impractical, if not impossible.
To work effectively, masks must be specially fitted to the wearer, and
wearers must be trained in their use. This is usually done for the military
and for workers in industries and laboratories who face routine exposure
to chemicals and germs on the job. Gas masks purchased at an Army surplus
store or off the Internet carry no guarantees that they will work. In
fact, one national chain of surplus stores provides the following statement:
"(X) has been selling gas masks as a novelty
item since 1948. We have never been able to warrant their effectiveness
and we cannot do so at this time…We do not know what each type of
gas mask we sell might or might not be effective against…We do not
know the age of each gas mask…"
In brief, no guarantees are provided. More serious is the fact that the
masks can be dangerous. There are reports of accidental suffocation when
people have worn masks incorrectly, as happened to some Israeli civilians
during the Persian Gulf War.
3. Should I have my own supply of antibiotics?
In the event of a suspected bioterrorism event, antibiotics may be recommended;
however, there is no antibiotic that is effective against all diseases.
Thus, no single pill can protect against all types of biological weapon
attacks.
It is important to note that if antibiotics are used inappropriately,
or hoarded and saved for later, they may become ineffective for a number
of reasons. Antibiotics have a limited shelf life and may lose their strength,
they may have side effects, and they should only be used be under medical
supervision. Most importantly, misuse of antibiotics can lead to drug
resistance, which means the antibiotics will not be effective when needed.
For more information on antimicrobial resistance and appropriate use see
the following website: http://www.cdc.gov/antibioticresistance.
4. Is it safe for me to drink water from the tap?
Drinking water systems are a vital part of our infrastructure and must
be protected on an ongoing basis from contamination. Standards are in
place to design, operate, maintain, and monitor water systems on a regular
basis to protect the public's health. Many measures are in place to prevent
natural or deliberate contamination of our drinking water. If an incident
does occur, treatment facilities and response actions are in place to
minimize the impact to the public.
5. What is smallpox?
Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola virus. Historically,
one out of three people who contracted the disease died. The disease can
spread from person to person. Transmission usually occurs only after the
patient develops a fever and rash.
Although there is no treatment for the disease, a vaccine against smallpox
provides excellent protection and serves to stop the spread of the disease.
While many vaccines must be given weeks or months before a person is exposed
to infection, smallpox vaccine is different. It protects a person even
when given 2 to 3 days after exposure to the disease and may prevent a
fatal outcome even when given as late as 4 to 5 days after exposure.
Smallpox was stamped out globally by 1980 after the last case occurred
in 1978, and vaccination stopped everywhere in the world. However, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintain an emergency
supply of smallpox vaccine. Currently there are 12-15 million doses in
storage, and a program to produce more vaccine began a year ago. For more
information on smallpox, go to http://www.hopkins-biodefense.org/pages/agents/agentsmallpox.html.
6. If smallpox
is a potential threat to the U.S., why shouldn't we all get vaccinated?
The vaccine may cause serious side effects. In 1971, the U.S. decided to stop
routinely vaccinating its citizens because many people were experiencing side
effects, while they had almost no risk of getting smallpox. By 1971, the disease
was present only in a few countries of Asia and Africa. Today, health authorities
would only recommend vaccination if there was clear evidence that the disease
had resurfaced and those in the U.S. were at risk of acquiring infection.
Many people over age 30 have a vaccination scar. Vaccination consists
of introducing the virus into the top layers of the skin. Over the following
few days, a blister forms at the site of vaccination (usually the upper
arm). The arm is sore, and there is fever. Very rarely, some people get
a vaccine-related infection of the brain (about 1 case per 300,000 vaccinations);
one fourth of these cases are fatal. Other potential negative effects
of the vaccine are a severe skin reaction, spread of the vaccine virus
(known as Vaccinia) to other parts of the body, and spread of the Vaccinia
virus to other people.
7. If I was vaccinated against smallpox before
1980, am I still protected?
Probably not. Vaccination has been shown to wear off in most people after
10 years but may last longer if the person has been successfully vaccinated
on multiple occasions. If health authorities determine that you have been
exposed to smallpox or are at risk of infection, they will likely try
to vaccinate you. However, there are currently 15 million doses of smallpox
vaccine for a country of more than 280 million people. Although CDC is
gearing up to make more of the vaccine available, it still won't be enough
to vaccinate everyone, and it's not clear when that will be available.
Therefore, it's probable that some prioritization will be put into place
for receiving a smallpox vaccine.
8. Where can I get smallpox vaccine?
Because smallpox no longer occurs, and the vaccine against smallpox can
have serious side effects, vaccine is no longer available to the general
public. In the event smallpox is used as a bioterrorist agent, the distribution
of vaccine to the public would be coordinated by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the Washington State Department of Health.
9. What is anthrax?
Anthrax is a disease caused by bacteria called Bacillus anthracis.
The form of the disease that health authorities are concerned that a bioterrorist
attack might produce is inhalational anthrax. Inhalational anthrax occurs
when a person breathes in anthrax spores. As early as a day or two after
exposure or as late as seven weeks afterward, the spores begin to grow
rapidly and the victim develops fever, has difficulty breathing and feels
miserable. Death typically occurs within a few days after these symptoms
if the person doesn't receive medical treatment. It is believed that antibiotics
can stop the disease if they are taken at the time the anthrax spores
begin to grow or very soon thereafter.
In the event of a bioterrorist attack, health authorities would conduct
a rapid investigation, determine the place and time of the release, and
identify individuals who need antibiotics. The federal government has
stockpiled antibiotics for large-scale distribution in the event of a
bioterrorist attack. For more information on anthrax, go to http://www.hopkins-biodefense.org/pages/agents/agentanthrax.html.
10. Is anthrax contagious?
No. Anthrax is not contagious. It does not spread from person to
person. Healthy people who come into contact with persons sick with anthrax
cannot acquire the disease.
11. Where can I get anthrax vaccine?
Anthrax vaccine is not available to the general public. In the event anthrax
is used as a bioterrorist agent the distribution of anthrax vaccine and/or
antibiotic medications to the public would be coordinated by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention and the Washington State Department
of Health. For more information on anthrax see the following Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm
12. What is the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile
(NPS)?
The NPS is a large reserve of antibiotics, chemical antidotes and other
medical supplies set aside for emergencies. The CDC reports that it has
the capacity to move these stockpiled materials to affected areas in the
U.S. within 12 hours of notification. There are a number of different
stockpiles, strategically located around the country. In addition to the
medical supplies already set aside, the federal government has made agreements
with drug manufacturers to make large amounts of additional emergency
medicine. For more information on the NPS, go to their
website.
13. What can I do to protect my family and myself?
Unfortunately, there is presently little that individuals can do in advance
to protect themselves from a bioterrorist attack. However, the Department
of Health recommends general emergency preparedness, which could be helpful
in the event of any public health emergency. For example, being prepared
to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours, just as you would for floods,
wind storms, and earthquakes. For each person in your home, have a 72-hour
supply of safe drinking water and non-perishable food. Keep flashlights
and a portable radio handy, as well as a supply of fresh batteries. Have
an out-of-state contact (family or close friend) to notify of your situation
in the event of an emergency.
The American Red Cross has an extensive emergency
preparedness guide on its Web site.
Local health departments have an important responsibility for helping
protect your community against outbreaks of infectious disease, whether
they occur in nature or because of a malicious terrorist act. They can
assist you with additional health concerns in your community.
14. What if my fear about bioterrorism is having
a serious impact on my family and work life?
Given the attacks upon civilians that took place on September 11, it is
reasonable for citizens to feel anxious about their personal safety. Should
your fear get to the point that it stops you from doing the things you
would normally do in a day, it might be helpful to talk with someone.
Your health care provider can make a referral if you do not already have
someone in mind. In the wake of the attack on New York City, we have learned
how helpful it has been to many New Yorkers to speak with a counselor
or to go to a mental health center.
15. Where can I go for more information on bioterrorism
and preparedness?
Please see the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program's Web site,
or visit the Johns Hopkins
Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies Web site.
Return to top
| | |
© 2001-2003 University of Washington School of
Public Health
Box 357230, Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-1144 • fax (206) 543-3813
General questions about the school? E-mail sphcm@u.washington.edu
Problems with this website? E-mail Webmaster
Text-only
|
