by Malcolm Withers and Patrick Hennessy
Posted on 04/12/2002 10:30:09 AM PDT by My Identity
New smallpox terror alert
by Malcolm Withers and Patrick Hennessy
A major terrorist alert was sparked today after it emerged the Government has bought 30 million anti-smallpox vaccines, enough to protect half Britain's population from a biological attack.
Ministers have spent £32 million bolstering defences against the disease, after a review in the wake of the 11 September assault on the US pinpointed glaring deficiencies in Britain's shield against germ warfare.
Today's deal with British company Powder-Ject Pharmaceuticals will help replenish stockpiles so that, within 12 months, health chiefs will have enough vaccine to protect at least half the population - more if the doses are divided up.
Government officials rushed to make it clear that the order did not mean Britain was immediately being put on a higher state of alert against a biological attack. However, both the US and Russia have already stockpiled anti-smallpox vaccines.
There have been credible reports that Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime has acquired supplies of smallpox, as have other rogue nations, and there are fears that the al Qaeda terrorist network could also have obtained the virus.
Whitehall stuck to the line it has held since 11 September, that while all necessary precautions were being taken, there is no specific, credible threat to Britain, and no evidence of an imminent large-scale terrorist assault on the country.
A Health Department spokesman said today: "As part of the Government's continuing vigilance against international terrorism we have acquired supplies of smallpox vaccine. There is no credible threat but it is important for the Government to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of the population."
It was being pointed out, however, that there were specific fears earlier this year that Britain did not have adequate protection against the threat of smallpox, which is more contagious and deadly than anthrax.
Smallpox has a fatality rate of 30 per cent or more when used as a biological weapon, according to US public health research. While it was effectively eradicated worldwide in 1977, it has long been feared as the most devastating of all infectious disease.
After 1977 some supplies of smallpox were held at heavily guarded laboratories in both the former Soviet Union and the US. However, it has long been suspected that samples have been smuggled out and have fallen into the hands of international terrorists.
Tony Blair has repeatedly warned of the dangers of not taking action against regimes which have the potential to develop weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological materials.
Only last weekend the issue was high on the agenda as he held talks with President George W Bush in Texas. Mr Blair's tough line on Iraq has led him into trouble with Labour MPs, who are protesting against moves to take military action.
Government officials rushed to make it clear that the order did not mean Britain was immediately being put on a higher state of alert against a biological attack
These writers must work for Reuters.
Because if terrorists were to launch a smallpox outbreak, the vaccine could mean the difference between life and death for thousands if not millions of people.
MM
If it hit Israel, the Israelis would be much more capable of dealing with it than the Palestinians, and it just might wipe out the Palestinian population. Islamic terrorists just might score an own-goal with something like this. Of course, they can always blame it on the Mossad.
While this true, it really would not be big of a problem here in the US, Europe, or Israel at all. I would estimate the the dz would do very minimal damage to any industrialized country, even those without access to vaccine who quarantine properly. You're only infective once the fever starts, and most people at this point are in such bad shape, so quickly, they'll be at a medical facility, not at the mall spreading the virus.
Young people mainly.
Vaccinia vaccine is a highly effective immunizing agent that enabled the global eradication of smallpox. The last naturally occurring case of smallpox occurred in Somalia in 1977. In May 1980, the World Health Assembly certified that the world was free of naturally occurring smallpox (5). By the 1960s, because of vaccination programs and quarantine regulations, the risk for importation of smallpox into the United States had been reduced. As a result, recommendations for routine smallpox vaccination were rescinded in 1971 (6). In 1976, the recommendation for routine smallpox vaccination of health-care workers was also discontinued (7). In 1982, the only active licensed producer of vaccinia vaccine in the United States discontinued production for general use, and in 1983, distribution to the civilian population was discontinued (8). All military personnel continued to be vaccinated, but that practice ceased in 1990. Since January 1982, smallpox vaccination has not been required for international travelers, and International Certificates of Vaccination forms no longer include a space to record smallpox vaccination (9).
We require children to be vaccinated against chickenpox. A reversal of priorities.
1. Smallpox is rampant, having been caused intentionally.
2. There is no more smallpox.
3. There is some smallpox, but at least it wasn't caused intentionally.
If you were vaccinated as a child, and aren't too old, you should have one on your arm or your thigh. Many times girls were innoculated on their thighs so they could wear sleeveless blouses and dresses without the scar showing on their upper arm.
It's really IDIOTIC and STUPID to have dosages of vaccine sitting around, yet healthcare workers can not immunize themselves. WE ARE THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TARGETS, but DASCHLE's DUMMIES won't let market forces rule in healthcare.
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