Special medical units trained to counter smallpox terror threat

UK Guardian ^ | Dec. 17, 2003 | James Meikle,

[FairOpinion]

Hundreds of doctors, nurses and back-up staff are being identified and trained to run emergency nursing and vaccination centres in the event of a smallpox terror alert. Many of them would have to be ready to work in special isolation units next to big hospitals within 24 hours of a small pox case being confirmed anywhere in the world.

Schools, church halls and polling stations are among buildings likely to be earmarked for vaccination programmes, while hotels and university residences could be commandeered to house close contacts of smallpox victims who refuse vaccination or cannot be immunised because it might do them more harm.

Senior health officials also might have to guarantee illegal immigrants and overstayers freedom from prosecution in the event of a smallpox outbreak, according to government plans to combat a terrorist attack involving biological warfare.

Homeless people and drug users might be reluctant to trust healthcare services if they become ill, thus exposing more people to risk of disease.

Smallpox is a devastating disease that killed between 15% and 50% of patients in natural epidemics before its worldwide eradication was declared 23 years ago.

The government says no credible threat exists at present, but smallpox remains one of the few agents that could "cause illness or panic to the extent that existing medical and healthcare systems would be overwhelmed".

A new outbreak could lead to more rapid spread than was the case before it was eradicated, because the abandonment of routine vaccination has led to a low immunity among the population. In addition, health staff might take longer to diagnose the unfamiliar disease.

The plans to combat small pox, finalised in the past year, have changed since interim guidelines were published. The observation and treatment centres for suspected and confirmed cases were proposed to be at least a quarter of a mile from hospitals and population centres of 200 or more.

Now the centres, designed to hold at least 20 people under observation and 20 others being treated for smallpox, are expected to be on the same sites as district general hospitals. This is because planners accept that routine support services should be available to minimise delays.

Each centre would have about 140 staff and these are being identified by regional health teams. They would be immunised immediately if there was a threat.

[FairOpinion]

If, as some say the smallpox threat is virtually non-existent, why are they doing this training, and why did the US buy sufficient vaccines for everyone?

I think there is a very serious, credible threat of smallpox out there, that governments are aware of, and in that case, why don't they just neutralize it right now, by vaccinating at least everyone who wants to get the vaccine, instead of playing Russian rouletter with our collective lives.

Where are the folks who object to too much government intrusion in general -- do you think the government should keep people, who want to take the vaccine, from getting it, if they so choose?

[EggsAckley]

I think I remember hearing that the vaccine is a little dangerous. I don't know that I'd want to have one pre-emptively. Don't trust doctors and meds that much.

[FairOpinion]

I think the dangers of the vaccine are what is mostly propaganda. Everyone in the US and most parts of the world was required to have it, and people didn't get sick and die from it. So if it didn't kill people then, why would it all of a sudden become dangerous today.

For people with compromised immune system, such as those who have HIV, or are cancer patients, etc. obviously the risk may outweigh the benefits.

But I think they should make the vaccine available and have each person decide for themselves, after discussing it with their doctors, whether or not they want to get the vaccine.

[EggsAckley]

You're starting to change my mind!!

~</;o)

[FairOpinion]

I am not necessarily arguing for getting the vaccine, just for the availability. Then everyone can decide for themselves at their leisure. Also, if people have adverse reactions, they can get treatment, which would not be available, when millions of people are being vaccinated on masse, AFTER a smallpox outbreak. So, even for people who may have a reaction, this is a much better time to consider getting the vaccine, when their doctor could pay enough attention to them.

If we actually have an attack, thousands WILL die, before people get innoculated, and in that chaos people will not be screened, and those with compromised immune system may either die of the vaccine or the disease, not pleasant prospect.

But by making the vaccine available -- a number of people may decide to get the vaccine, which would slow down the spread and provide some protection to those who don't have it yet, buying more time for the rest of the people to get vaccinated.

[EggsAckley]

What I worry about is the delay that will occur from the time that the first person GETS smallpox until the vaccinations can be started. Days probably, or weeks. We all know how slow bureaucrats can be.

[FairOpinion]

"delay that will occur from the time that the first person GETS smallpox"

==

The problem is that in a terror attack, there won't be ONE person sick, when it's discovered, there may be thousands infected at the same time in many cities. All the terrorists have to do is release the virus in aerosole at a few major airports. It's a realistic,yet nightmarish scenario.

[EggsAckley]

Arrgghh! You're so right that you're making my toothache hurt. Heheh.
It really is something to worry about.

[FairOpinion]

turn on FoxNews -- Bush is speaking -- Libya is giving up their WMD ( which means they had plenty!)