SMALL POX AND HALLOWEEN CANDY- A short primer on viral disease transmission

Dr. Brian Kopp (proud2bRC)

[Brian Kopp DPM]

A short primer on viral disease transmission. Many viral diseases are transmitted via fomites:

fomite

SYLLABICATION: fo·mite
PRONUNCIATION: fmt
NOUN: An inanimate object or substance that is capable of transmitting infectious organisms from one individual to another.
ETYMOLOGY: Back-formation from New Latin fmits, pl. of Latin fmes, tinder, from fovre, to warm. See dhegwh- in Appendix I.

In other words, you touch something, get the virus on your hand, then touch you face, mouth, nose or other mucus membrane.

Candy wrappers would be a perfect fomite because the act of handling the candy wrapper occurs immediately before the contact with the mouth.

In other words, no need to inject anything.

Just a light dusting of smallpox virus in the form or a powder. If done correctly it would be undetectable.

And unlike anthrax, which requires thousands of huge bacterial spores be inhaled into the lungs, relatively few microscopic smallpox viruses would be required. And nasal exposure would be sufficient to cause full blown infection, whereas nasal exposure with anthrax is relatively harmless.

No trick or treating for my kids this year.

• Contact with fomites:
  1. Indirect contact transmission is a form of contact transmission where transmission occurs from a reservoir via inanimate objects.
  2. These objects generally are referred to as fomites.
  3. Fomites are basically almost anything an infected individual (or reservoir) can touch, upon which can be left a residue of contagious pathogen.
• Exceptions include the various inanimates referred to as vehicles:
  1. food
  2. air
  3. liquids
• Typically it is more difficult to avoid indirect contact transmission than it is to avoid direct contact transmission.
• A certain degree of organismal durability may be necessary to survive passage on a fomite.
• The best way to prevent indirect contact transmission is by:
  1. avoiding contact with fomites
  2. avoiding contact of hands with mucous membranes especially when handling or potentially handling fomites
  3. the use of barriers when handling fomites
  4. disinfecting fomites before handling
  Large candy purchases investigated by FBI

  News/Current Events
  Source: Bergen NJ Record
  Published: October 20, 2001 Author: MITCHEL MADDUX and PETER POCHNA
  Posted on 10/20/01 11:17 PM Eastern by spycatcher
  

  The FBI said Friday that it is investigating the cash purchase of "large quantities" of candy from Costco stores in Hackensack and Wayne.

  "We have been advised and we are looking into the incident of a gentleman buying large quantities of candy," said Sandra Carroll, an FBI spokeswoman in Newark.

  Carroll declined to identify the purchaser, but indicated that he is in federal custody for immigration law reasons not related to the purchase of the candy.

  "I cannot comment on INS detainees," Carroll said.

  Carroll said it would be premature to draw conclusions about the purchaser's intent for the candy, which agents had not found by Friday night. She declined to describe the candy.

  "We have no evidence or information for us to suspect there is any reason to cancel scheduled events," Carroll said when asked if the FBI had concerns about the safety of Halloween. "However, the public is encouraged to remain alert but calm."

  Hackensack police took a report from Costco about the candy purchase at the Hackensack store at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday. The police then contacted the FBI.

  "They told us to stay out of it," said Hackensack Police Chief Charles "Ken" Zisa.

  Zisa said the FBI had already learned about the purchase. A local Costco manager had reported the incident to corporate headquarters, near Seattle, and had sent a videotape from a store security camera, Zisa said.

  An official at Costco's corporate headquarters said Friday night that no one was available to comment on the matter. Another Costco official, who declined to be identified, said such large purchases from the chain of wholesale grocery and household goods stores are not uncommon.

  Kerry Gill, a spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in Newark, said he could not discuss the case because of confidentiality policies.

  
  

Candy man

News/Current Events
Source: snopes.com
Published: Oct 20 Author: Snopes.com
Posted on 10/20/01 6:26 PM Eastern by earaiak

I called the Hackensack location (because I grew sick of the false alarms and rumors) and this information is true. Guys be careful a notice just came to me from someone that works in Costco. 2 Arabic guys bought more than $35,000.00 dollars worth of candy, in Wayne $15,000.00 & in Hackensack $20,0000.00. After they left they found out their Costco i.d was fake, & they paid the whole thing cash. The F.B.I. was notified just be careful with your kids for trick o' treating on Halloween!!! i just thought u wanted to know that. DON"T LET THOSE KIDS GO OUT FOR HALLOWEEN!

---

No kneejerking allowed. So far it hasn't been unsubstantiated. Check out the snopes site for more info: The Candy Man

[rwfromkansas]

How is a substantiated report an urban legend? That said, I am not urging panic.

[rwfromkansas]

I agree we should not become paralyzed with fear. However, it is true that just a small release of smallpox could infect millions.

[Sabertooth]

"They stopped vaccinating for smallpox in 1982, not 1972. I know this because I was one of the last children to be vaccinated for smallpox in 1982."

Everything I've read to date says 1972. You sure it was for smallpox? Do you have a visible scar?

I wonder if some received smallpox vaccine after'72, but most didn't. Seriously, 1972 seems to be the accepted date everywhere.

" Of course if this is weapons grade smallpox, it does not matter if you have been vaccinated for smallpox or not, because it will probably kill you either way."

I'd be interested in seeing sources on this as well.

[Sabertooth]

Dark Winter

[Sabertooth]

See this post and #94.

Comments?

[Don Joe]

"That is not what the story said. It said they bought $35,000 worth of candy, not that they returned it."

There were several incidents. One group (using the same card, IIRC) bought $80,000 worth, and then the FBI and/or Immigration got into the picture, and all we know is that the candy is not accounted for. The $35,000 was one of the three buys that added up to $80,000 Another incident was for a smaller amount, $3,500, I think. That batch was returned, "examined" by the Health Dep't, and put back on the shelves.

If you haven't seen these yet, please take a look:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/552988/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/552863/posts

http://www.snopes2.com/rumors/candy.htm

Status: TRUE

Note that in one case, a large amount was *returned*, and put back on the shelf after being "checked". Did they check *every* piece of it? Impossible, IMO.

[rwfromkansas]

There was 2 men.....it says the suspect is in custody, yet there were apparently 2 men according to snopes in other stores also who bought candy....this is confusing.

[Don Joe]

"the candy was put back on the shelves after the health department 'couldn't see anything wrong with the candy'."

They must have some mighty powerful eagle-eyes to be able to visually detect a microscopic amount of smallpox if it was present.

[It's me]

Don't worry, if they DO release smallpox, your kids are as dead as everyone else's, whether they go trick-or-treating or not.

That is exactly what I've been thinking as I read these posts. Smallpox is so very contagious that we can't really do anything about it, can we? If Smallpox is the next bioweapon, then we had better get the cemeteries ready. Remember, smallpox is a virus. There are no antibiotics (which work against bacteria) which will work on viruses. Go see your local priest, rabbi or minister and be prepared.

[Don Joe]

"A coward dies many times.....A brave man only once."

How many times does a fool die?

"It's fine to have a 'relative' concern about your loved ones and your own safety but it seems to be getting ludicrous."

What a condescending load of tripe. Did you even read the verified reports of what's going on here? How dare you urge people to play arabian roulette with their children's lives. How dare you.

"You and those that are trembling with fear here, need to lighten up."

I see no one trembling with fear. All I see is an arrogant poster trying to intimidate and embarass parents into risking their children's lives, because he has mastered the art of rushing in where angels fear to tread.

"Hell man....you could get run over by a car tomorrow."

The odds go up dramatically for people who play in the traffic.

If you haven't seen these yet, please take a look:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/552988/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/552863/posts

http://www.snopes2.com/rumors/candy.htm

Status: TRUE

Note that in one case, a large amount was *returned*, and put back on the shelf after being "checked". Did they check *every* piece of it? Impossible, IMO.

[Paul C. Jesup]

That is what I think my medical records read, and that is what my parents say they witnessed, one of which, my mother, was a nurse at the time.

And about the scar, I doubt I could find it because I have a lot of scars on my upper arms from years of allergy shots and ingrown hairs.

[conservative cat]

Everything I've read to date says 1972. You sure it was for smallpox? Do you have a visible scar?

I wonder if some received smallpox vaccine after'72, but most didn't. Seriously, 1972 seems to be the accepted date everywhere.

I am voting for 1972. I was born in '74, my husband and best friend in '73 and none of us have been vaccinated for smallpox.

[Don Joe]

"or maybe staging an old-time block party with families who I personally knew & trusted..."

If tampered candy is returned to store shelves, even "families you personally know and trust" won't be of any protection.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

A coward dies many times.....A brave man only once

Would a "coward" post this information knowing full well that people like you are going to flame him? I don't see many doctors putting their names and reputations on the line here in an effort to alert people of a serious threat. I am not a fool, nor a coward. It is easy though for armchair quarterbacks to make such an accusation. I'm not trembling in fear in a corner, or running to the hills, or making a "safe room" to prevent contamination. I am making a reasonable effort to inform others of my suspicions.

That said, I do look in the mirror and occasionally wonder if I see a bit of tin foil there.

Oh well, I'll be happy to eat my tin foil hat if my suspicions prove to be hysteria, and I'll admit publically that I was being stupid. Until then, everyone should examine the overall evidence, and make up their own mind.

If you think I'm a bit nutz, that's fine too. But at least join me in practicing safe Freeping (a weak attempt at a bit of humor here for an otherwise too serious subject):

An Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie (AFDB) is a type of headwear that can shield your brain from most electromagnetic psychotronic mind-control carriers. AFDBs are inexpensive (even free if you don't mind scrounging for thrown-out aluminium foil) and can be constructed by anyone with at least the dexterity of a chimp (maybe bonobo). This cheap and unobtrusive form of mind-control protection offers real security to the masses. Not only do they protect against incoming signals, but they also block most forms of brain scanning and mind reading, keeping the secrets in your head truly secret. AFDBs are safe and operate automatically. All you do is make it and wear it and you're good to go! Plus, AFDBs are stylish and comfortable.

What are you waiting for? Make one today!

Quick Instructions For Building An AFDB

	1) Get a five foot sheet of aluminum foil (standard one foot wide Reynolds Wrap brand will do nicely.)
	2) Fold the sheet four times into five equal segments so that you end up with a 1x1 foot square, making sure that you fold over the dull side of the foil leaving the square shiny on both sides.
	3) Use scissors to cut from one corner of the square to the center, making a straight line.
	4) Bend the foil from one side of the cut under the other, making a slight cone. Again, make sure that the outside of the cone has a shiny side of the foil; this is VERY important.
	5) Place the cone on your head and squash the top and sides to make it fit snugly.
	6) Apply Scotch tape liberally making sure to secure the cut in the foil and any form-fitting creases made in step 5.
	7) Use more tape to secure AFDB to your cranium.

[Don Joe]

"A friend of mine, his sister was dating an Arabic man, who I believe was in his twenties. The man disapeared a day or two before September 11th. He left the sister a note saying something along the lines of, "Don't fly on planes on September 11th and don't go out on October 31st." The note was turned into the FBI."

I will be charitable and presume that you are ridiculing posters in this thread by comparing the candy reports with urban legend.

So, I will simply point out that the snopes Urban Legend site has verified this case as true.

Man, there's a ton of Sunday Cowboys doing a lot of shooting from the hip today.

[Don Joe]

"AGREED! How about dusting handles of gasloine pumps, or 'display' shoes in the malls...or how about BOOKS in a library...sheeesh SOME people are so frigging paranoid..."

There is a difference between paranoia and prudence. I would suggest that you ask someone to help you learn about it some time.

Are you aware that middle eastern men have purchased massive amounts of candy, some of which has been returned to the store shelves, and the rest cannot be found by the FBI?

[Paul C. Jesup]

I believe that you misunderstand. Routine smallpox immunizations stopped in 1972. But, they did continue smallpox vaccinations until the mid 80's. You just had to ask for the vaccination. So it is still very possible I was vaccinated.

[Sabertooth]

I got my smallpox vaccine in the early sixties. It's a brownish spot on my shoulder about the size of a dime, and has always been visible. This is pretty much universal with smallpox vaccinations, though the location may vary.

I received allergy shots for years,and never got a scar of any kind, let alone one this visible. You might want to double check your medical records. IMHO

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Infecting the candy wrappers is going to be hazardous work for the infectors

Not if they have the vaccine. Any state working on smallpox as a WMD would more than likely also be vaccinating their workers. Same is not necessarily true of the terrorist in the field. That is why another scenario may be more likely.

Terrorists have already been flying to multiple cities in one day planning attacks, judging by records already released of their activities.

Take a handful of terrorist martyrs, infect them with smallpox, and send them at the point they are most contagious on a cross country trip, transferring flights at all the busiest airport hubs.

Relatively few infected martyrs could start an multicentric epidemic, but they would be dead before the authorities knew there was an outbreak.

[Don Joe]

"Okay, so how does the logistics of this work? Infecting the candy wrappers is going to be hazardous work for the infectors, as is distributing the candy on Halloween night. Now, for your average martyr the idea of going out in a blaze of glory is quite appealing (and relatively painless). Dying in lingering agony from the affects of smallpox is something else entirely."

Let's look at what we do know about their MO.

There are massive amounts of envelopes of "white powder" being mailed, and a few of them contain anthrax.

This is really not very innovative. The USSR was set to throw massive amounts of "decoys" at us if they ever launched "the big one". The idea was to make it impossible for us to pick the real weapons out of the mass of incoming items.

Radar "chaff" is another variation on the theme.

So, what would happen if they bought thousands of pieces of candy, and only infected one out every 250 or thereabouts?

I'll tell you what would happen: they'd cause an astronomical amount of terror.

And as to them "dying in lingering agony from the affects of smallpox", think about it. All they'd need to do is get innoculated prior to handling the virus!