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PubMed2001

[Anthrax--the Swedish perspective].

The recent occurrence in the USA of deliberate release of virulent Bacillus anthracis in letters sent to three media corporations and to the American senate has led to a great anxiety in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe. Numerous letters have been suspected to contain B. anthracis spores and several have contained powder of different types. In none of the tested letters collected by the Swedish police have we been able to detect anthrax bacilli. Powder containing letters have been tested with either bacterial isolation and/or B. anthracis specific PCR. Anthrax is a disease found naturally in herbivores and is occasionally spread to humans. It is caused by the gram-positive rod B. anthracis that was discovered by Robert Koch in 1876. Beginning in the 1930s many states have developed B. anthracis for use as a weapon. A few releases of the bacteria have been reported before October 2001. B. anthracis causes three forms of disease, cutaneous, pulmonary and gastro-intestinal. The pulmonary form is the most dangerous and may lead to death merely one to two days after onset of severe symptoms. This is due to the rapid growth and release of several potent toxins that engage the immune system and promote tissue destruction. B. anthracis infection can be treated with several antibiotics, among which quinolones and tetracyclins have been recommended. Diagnosis can readily be achieved by microscopy, bacterial isolation and PCR at the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control and the Swedish Defence Research Agency. Antibiotics relevant for treatment of B. anthracis infections are already stockpilled in our country. Further actions to strengthen our capability to deal with bioterrorism are ongoing.

Anthrax↗
PubMed2002

Home care & hospice's role in response to a bioterrorist event.

The home care and hospice community is not prepared to handle a bioterrorist event. We do not have a bioterrorism readiness plan in place. However, as the foundation of the health care system we must be prepared because we have a significant role in responding to a bioterrorist attack.

Bioterrorism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The ABCs on anthrax for health personnel].

The purpose of this series of articles is to present to health personnel an updated summary on bioterrorism associated agents. In this first article an updated summary on anthrax is presented. Emphasis has been placed on the characteristics of cases which occurred during October in the United States of America and on the experience of governmental agencies of that country to face the emergency. Measures implemented in Mexico are described as well. The authors are convinced that the best arm against terror is timely and updated information.

Anthrax↗
PubMed2001

[War and medicine in a culture of peace. 2. Synopsis of biological weapons].

Biological warfare has a long history. Despite the 1972 international convention and several attempts at biological weapon eradication, some countries and non governmental groups still retain some of these agents. According to their potential use, they belong to bioterrorism or to massive destruction weapons. Any biological warfare put the civilian medical and paramedical assets at the frontline and at high risk for being rapidly contaminated. The prompt recognition of a bioterrorist attack and the swift identification of the agent can lead to implementation of vaccines, chemoprophylaxis, appropriate treatment and sanitary measures.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed2001

The Rapid Syndrome Validation Project (RSVP).

The Rapid Syndrome Validation Project (RSVP) is a collaboration of several institutions: Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, the University of New Mexico Department of Emergency Medicine, and the NM Department of Health Office of Epidemiology. RSVP is a system that operates at the intersection of individual health care providers, public health and bioterrorism. Physicians quickly enter clinical and demographic information on patients exhibiting symptoms and signs of the syndromes of interest. It provides early warning and response to emerging biological threats, as well as emerging epidemics and diseases. RSVP provides real time clinical information to the provider and any other potential user such as the DOH, about current symptoms, disease prevalence and location. The system also serves as a mechanism for the Department of Health to inform health care providers of health alerts and to facilitate the process of collecting data on reportable diseases. We describe here the purpose an the architecture of a network-based surveillance system that is currently implemented in an Emergency Department.

Bioterrorism↗
PubMed2002

Wake of September 11th attacks: implications for research, policy and practice.

The National Consortium for African American Children (NCAAC) held a National Forum on Bioterrorism and Children on November 6, 2001 in Washington, DC. Convened in the wake of the September 11th attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, this unprecedented conference assembled a cross-section of professionals in child advocacy, health, mental health, insurance, economics, law enforcement, and media technology. The ensuing discussion focused on issues surrounding biological agents, their impact on children and youth, and the strategies needed to protect the health and mental health of children and families in the event of a large-scale bioterrorist crisis. Lessons learned as well as the implications of the terrorist acts from the tragic events of September 11th formed the backdrop for engaging dialogue among various industry executives and professionals. Accounts of personal experiences during the unprecedented tragedy of 9-11 were shared and provided a context for heightened preparedness planning for children and adults. A collaborative statement was also presented by NCAAC, the National Medical Association, the Association of Black Psychologists, and the National Black Media Coalition. This forum was hailed as a model for communities of color to join and help bolster broad-based coalition building to ensure the availability of culturally and linguistically appropriate messages, services, and support. As intended, the forum devoted significant attention to the special needs of children, their caregivers and families and provided for an invaluable interchange which is slated to evolve into a national action plan to address the imminent dangers facing our nation's children.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2002

20/20 hindsight. Months after anthrax claimed the lives of several. Americans, hospitals review their reaction to the event--and plan for future crises.

Last fall, after a nation suffered the unthinkable attacks of Sept. 11, a second wave of terror held Americans in its grip. Questions still surround a series of baffling cases of anthrax that shook New York and Connecticut. Each of the hospitals involved report that despite the unsolved mysteries posed by these events, they are more cautious and better-prepared for future bioterrorism attacks.

Anthrax↗
PubMed2002

Cutaneous anthrax: an overview.

The recent acts of bioterrorism have raised new questions about this uncommon disease. Clinicians are puzzled as to why some of the victims exposed to Bacillus anthracis spores developed the cutaneous form of the disease and others the inhalational form. Despite these questions, cutaneous anthrax remains relatively simple to treat effectively. The real clinical challenge lies in the diagnosis, especially being able to distinguish it from a spider bite.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Fatal case of inhalational anthrax mimicking intra-abdominal sepsis.

In this report, we discuss the second fatal case of inhalational anthrax related to the use of Bacillus anthracis spores as a biological weapon in the United States. This case highlights two of the major characteristics of inhalational anthrax: the fulminating nature of the infection and the difficulty of promptly establishing a diagnosis. In the patient discussed here, gastrointestinal symptoms and findings were so impressive that the patient was thought to have a primary intra-abdominal condition. In the current situation, in which bioterrorism is a real threat, any patient presenting with a flulike or gastrointestinal illness should be queried about their occupation. Anyone with evidence of systemic disease who resides or works in a geographical region where anthrax cases are occurring should be treated until the diagnosis of anthrax is excluded. In the United States, the group that is at high risk for anthrax has shifted from rural farm workers to city dwellers, especially postal workers and public figures.

Anthrax↗
PubMed2002

[Biological agents turning into weapons].

The use of biological agents as weapons is a well-known and established fact in the modern world. Biological warfare can be used both in terrorist events and in war and they pose a real threat and a formidable challenge to the defender. Biological weapons, in their various forms such as germs, viruses or toxins, can harm both living creatures and their surroundings. The relative simplicity of their production and use, compared to other non-conventional weapons, renders them to be a highly accessible system that can cause numerous casualties. Therefore, it is extremely important to study the threat and learn its characteristics, so as to be appropriately prepared in order to minimize potential damage. This review summarizes the characteristics of biological weapons (physical and biological), the means of use in bioterrorism and war, the advantages and disadvantages, comparisons to other non-conventional weapons and both tactical and strategical uses.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed2002

[The Israeli medical response plan for an unusual biological event].

Lack of national preparedness for biological warfare or a bioterrorism event as well as for a natural outbreak of a dangerous agent may lead to grave consequences (large-scale morbidity and mortality) in the short and long term. Threat assessment and its consequences are the basis for the contingency for such an event, with the medical community playing the leading role. In this article we present the principles of the Israeli medical response plan for an unusual biological event--whether of natural origin or a deliberate attack. The primary goals of the preparedness program are reducing mortality and morbidity, preventing a disaster, decreasing the irrational public response and inducing the resumption of the normal course of life. The program presented and its phases are universal, with the proper modifications needed to be implemented according to the specific etiology and the circumstances of the event. In order to successfully deal with the incident, national-level coordination of many non-medical organizations is required. An integration body in the Ministry of Health is a prerequisite for the early detection of the outbreak and for the rapid and proper identification of the etiologic agent. An effective triage system which screens the truly-exposed, the sick and their contacts among the many worried-well engorging the medical organizations, should be the spearhead for an integrated health system dealing with disease prevention and treatment. Public relations and recruitment of the media for transferring relevant information are a vital part of the response. In this rare and unfamiliar emergency situation the basic principle is to use existing response systems, implementing most of the routine procedures and functions, modified according to guidelines from central governmental bodies.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed2002

[Smallpox--past, present and future].

Smallpox has played a notorious role in human history. It has been the cause of millions of deaths throughout the centuries, yet, it was the first infectious disease that was ever eradicated thanks to a worldwide program. Smallpox vaccine, manufactured from the vaccinia virus, was the first vaccine ever produced. Recent bioterrorism events in the USA have brought smallpox back into the limelight, both medically and politically, because of the fear of the return of this horrific disease through the unscrupulous actions of terrorists who might spread variola virus. This article presents the history of smallpox, emphasizing its clinical variants. We also review the treatment of the disease, especially the vaccine--its efficacy and its disadvantages, and the public health measures that must be taken in order to control the disease. In conclusion, we will discuss the possibility of the resurgence of smallpox and global preparedness for such an outbreak.

Bioterrorism↗
PubMed2002

[Anthrax--an overview at 2002].

BACKGROUND: Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is well known in human history as a major cause of disease in domestic and wild animals and as a rare condition in humans. For the last seventy years, anthrax was developed and occasionally stored as an agent of biological weapon arsenal in numerous countries. The incubation period in humans is 1-6 days and the disease may be present as three distinct clinical syndromes: cutaneous, inhalational, and gastrointestinal disease. The major concern in regard of biological warfare is the inhalational form of anthrax, which starts as a febrile flu-like disease. The development of malaise, fatigue, cough and mild chest discomfort is followed by severe respiratory distress with dyspnea, diaphoresis, stridor, and cyanosis. Shock and death occur within 24-36 hours after onset of severe symptoms. Physical findings are non-specific, but a widened mediastinum is usually seen on chest x-ray. A positive blood culture, immunohistochemical methods and the use of the polymerase chain reaction method confirm the diagnosis. Although effectiveness may be limited after severe symptoms are present, a high dose of antibiotic treatment should be administered and aggressive supportive therapy may be necessary. In the situation of an anthrax attack, as was recently seen in the United States, penicillin is no longer recommended as an acceptable first line therapy. In this case, ciprofloxacin or doxycycline is the recommended drug of choice since penicillin-resistant strains may be used, as well as the possibility of the emergence of an inducible beta-lactamase positive bacterium. Since a high infecting dose may exacerbate the clinical course of the disease, a combination antibiotic regimen should be considered. The disease is not contagious and standard precautions are sufficient. Pre-exposure prophylaxis is based on a vaccine administration, while post-exposure prophylaxis is feasible by the initial use of oral ciprofloxacin or doxycycline. In this article we reviewed the literature with emphasis on the recent medical reports from the United States analyzing the eleven cases of inhalational anthrax as well as the new guidelines for diagnosis and treatment that resulted from the bioterrorism attack in October 2001. Although physical findings were non-specific, abnormal findings on chest x-rays were present in all the eleven cases. A positive blood culture, immunohistochemical methods and the use of the polymerase chain reaction method were highly valuable in revealing and confirming the diagnosis of anthrax. In the case of an attack with anthrax spores, the likelihood of exposure to a large infective dose of high quality spores, may require a prolonged period of treatment as well as prolonged post-exposure therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[Resume smallpox vaccination?].

The confirmation of the eradication of smallpox (WHO, 1980) brought to the interruption of smallpox vaccination. Recently, with the possibility of a bioterrorism use of smallpox, the problem of mass vaccination has reemerged. The proposals to tackle this problem are briefly reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Rapid deployment of an electronic disease surveillance system in the state of Utah for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

The key to minimizing the effects of an intentionally caused disease outbreak is early detection of the attack and rapid identification of the affected individuals. The Bush administration's leadership in advocating for biosurveillance systems capable of monitoring for bioterrorism attacks suggests that we should move quickly to establish a nationwide early warning biosurveillance system as a defense against this threat. The spirit of collaboration and unity inspired by the events of 9-11 and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City provided the opportunity to demonstrate how a prototypic biosurveillance system could be rapidly deployed. In seven weeks we were able to implement an automated, real-time disease outbreak detection system in the State of Utah and monitored 80,684 acute care visits occurring during a 28-day period spanning the Olympics. No trends of immediate public health concern were identified.

Bioterrorism↗
PubMed2002

National Pharmaceutical Stockpile drill analysis using XML data collection on wireless Java phones.

This study describes an informatics effort to track subjects through a National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NPS) distribution drill. The drill took place in Seattle on 1/24/2002. Washington and the State Department of Health are among the first in the nation to stage a NPS drill testing the distribution of medications to mock patients, thereby testing the treatment capacity of the plan given a post-anthrax exposure scenario. The goal of the Public Health Informatics Group at the University of Washington (www.phig.washington.edu) was to use informatics approaches to monitor subject numbers and elapsed time. This study compares accuracy of time measurements using a mobile phone Java application to traditional paper recording in a live drill of the NPS. Pearson correlation = 1.0 in 2 of 3 stations. Differences in last station measurements can be explained by delay in recording of the exit time. We discuss development of the application itself and lessons learned. (MeSH Bioterrorism, Informatics, Public Health)

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2002

[Yersinia pestis as a dangerous biological weapon].

Plague is an infectious disease caused by the Yersinia pestis microorganism, which is transmitted to the human host from a natural reservoir (different rodent species) by a flea bite. Plague is still encountered in humans in the areas of its enzootic prevalence in local rodent populations. Infection by flea bite results in a bubonic or septicemic plague, possibly complicated by secondary pneumonia. The person with pneumonic symptoms may be a source of a droplet-borne inhalatory infection for other people who consequently develop primary pneumonic plague. Despite a clinical form, plague is a severe infection characterized by a short incubation period, rapid onset and quick progress with mortality exceeding 50% if not treated properly. The pneumonic plague is associated with a particularly rapid progress and the mortality rate of almost 100% if not treated properly. As Yersinia pestis can be easily obtained and cultured and is highly pathogenic for humans, it poses a serious threat of being used for bioterrorism purposes. Artificially created aerosol containing plague bacilli can cause numerous and almost simultaneous cases of primary pulmonic plague in an exposed population. Persons exposed would most likely develop severe pneumonia with rapidly progressing respiratory and circulatory failure. The use of the Yersinia pestis strains resistant to antibiotics typically applied cannot be excluded.

Animals↗