I, too, am wondering about "It's an isolated case."
Yah, first in the U.S. in 25 years. Somebody figure the odds. Isolated, indeed.
BTW, since you mentioned you are new: I probably would have tacked this question onto an existing thread about the anthrax news report out of FL. You can still accomplish getting your questions out there, without creating a non-news thread. Vanities, as they are called here, are generally frowned upon. I've been here about 1 year and posted 2. Next year, I hope to reduce that figure by half.
The Associated Press Thursday, October 4, 2001
TALLAHASSEE (AP) -- A 63-year-old businessman has been hospitalized in Palm Beach County with pulmonary anthrax, a highly lethal disease mentioned as a possible biological weapon. But
U.S. Health Secretary Tommy Thompson said Thursday there is no evidence this case was a result of terrorism.
‘‘This is an isolated case and it’s not contagious, ’’ Thompson said at a White House news conference. He said such incidents are ‘‘rare, very rare.’’
Anthrax has been developed by some countries as a possible biological weapon. But the disease can be contracted naturally; the bacterial spores can be found in soil and are often carried by livestock.
Officials said the Florida victim is an avid outdoorsman. Thompson said the last U.S. case of anthrax was earlier this year in Texas. But that case was not pulmonary anthrax, in which the disease settles in the lungs.
The Lantana man, whose name was not released, checked into a hospital on Tuesday and it was initially believed he had meningitis, Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan said. But X-rays and other testing showed that it was pulmonary anthrax. The disease is treated with antibiotics. Brogan said the man had recently traveled to North Carolina and became ill shortly after he returned. The incubation period for the disease can be 60 days.
Tim O’Connor, spokesman for the Palm Beach health department, said the case is ‘‘very likely’’ to be fatal. Anthrax is a spore-forming bacterium that is especially virulent if inhaled. The disease causes pneumonia. There is a vaccine to prevent the spread of the disease.
All forms are rare, but the most recent cases including ones in Texas and North Dakota -- have been so-called cutaneous cases resulting from handling animals.
During the 20th century, only 18 cases of inhaled anthrax have been reported in the United States, the most recent in 1976. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI are investigating.
Yes..this was already posted....but bears repeating. I found out that my girlfriend was feeding their pets when they went to North Carolina.
These people (MAUREEN AND ROBERT) live RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER from one of the airports where some of the Terrorists flew from and/or practiced. Coincidence?
This man and his wife fed feral cat colonies...very kind people.
ALSO...I heard it IS PULMANARY anthrax! I heard he caught it airborne. Can't veriify that though...just heard it on the local radio.
Also,the air craft over the Black Sea was at 30 thousand feet.....do the Croats have a missle capable of a 1 shot feat that sucsesfull?
Lots of ????? here and right fully so.....
The spores can be found just about anywhere, in the soil or in both wild and domestic animals.
Outside of that, just wait and see if more cases develop. Most should show up within a week.
But it could be isolated. Supposedly anthrax does well after a good drought followed by rain. We've certainly had that.
Wednesday, September 13, 2000
Associated Press
PALM BAY — An investigation into a pipe bomb at a residence Tuesday also turned up a suspicious vial which may contain the deadly bacteria anthrax. The container was found inside an otherwise empty refrigerator in the kitchen of a home where deputies had been called to disarm the bomb. Palm Bay officers discovered the pipe bomb sitting in open view on the dining room table. It contained the destructive power of about 1/4 pound of dynamite. While searching the home for other bombs, Sheriff's Cpl. J.R. Hansen opened the refrigerator and found the 5-inch-tall, 3-inch wide clear plastic jar. A medical-type label neatly hand lettered read, "Bacillus Anthracis."
Officers put on protective gear and removed the container. They sealed it and then placed it inside a larger metal container which was in turn heat-sealed in another layer of plastic. The container was being stored at an undisclosed location until it can be tested to determine whether it actually contains anthrax. Anthrax can be deadly to humans and can be used as a biological weapon.
One time ... not much of a problem ....
3 or 4 times ..... Afghanistan better be glowing with re-radiated heat and radiation by nightfall.