US Plans for Mass Smallpox Inoculations

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 9/23/02 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

CNSNews.com) - The federal government has come up with a plan for vaccinating the entire U.S. population within five days of an actual smallpox outbreak, and on Monday, it will share that plan with state officials.

The 100-page plan includes instructions on how to conduct mass vaccinations: One unnamed federal official was quoted as saying the guidelines address "anything you can think of in running a vaccine clinic...It literally says, 'Here's how you set one up and here's how you run it.'"

The plan spells out how many clinics and healthcare workers would be needed; where the clinics should be set up; and what kind of security would be needed to control a panicky public.

The federal government is still debating who should be vaccinated before an actual smallpox case is reported. A decision on that is expected next month.

[justshe]

And many seem to have forgotten the voluntary vaccinations for the Swine Flu outbreak. The herd immunity worked then, as well.

At the time of that outbreak I was the Director of a small, volunteer health clinic. All over the United States, small and large clinics were set-up. The populace was covered quite quickly. It is NOT that difficult when you have centralized dispersion sites for the vaccine. Most clinics are already known and registered for just such a vaccination effort. If I recall, we received our vaccine thru the county Public Health Dept, as well as staff/vaccination guns etc.

[Revelation 911]

Using the wrap for baking - instead of protection from ELF - may be in order (that is, if you're one of the tasty ones)?

Fearing the worst - I would be considered a "self basting" variety - ;-)

[harpseal]

tHE KEY WORD IS voluntary. It may save lives and it might prevent the diruption of such an attack.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[vannrox]

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This subject, same content, - but in a "mainstream" publication: the Washington Post - HERE.

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[js1138]

I've been reading rhrough this thread and haven't seen any reference to the history of the disease and how it was eradicated. Everyone seems to think the disease spreads like wildfire, but in fact it is rather slow.

During the early 1970s a team of about 100 people eliminated the disease by traveling from town to town where the disease was reported. Rather than immunize everyone, they concentrated on those who had been in contact with the people who had the disease. The total number of people immunized was a fraction of one percent of the world's population.

It seems like a rather odd choice of weapons, except for suicidal madmen. It doesn't kill any of the enemy soldiers and politicians; just ticks 'em off real bad, leaving them alive and healthy enough to glassify your cities.

I do believe the current build-up against Iraq is a message, that they will be next, immediately after the next terrorist attack.

[vannrox]

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Zinc in the Treatment of Smallpox

March 24, 2002

History of Smallpox in Bioweaponry (1122 BC - 1899 AD)

1122 B.C., Earliest report of smallpox, in China. (Physicians in ancient China had long since immunized patients by removing scales from drying pustules of a person suffering from a mild case of smallpox, grinding the scales to a fine powder, and inserting the powder into the nose of the person to be immunized.)

1400s A.D., Pizarro presents South American natives with Variola-contaminated clothing.

1718. English noblewoman Lady Mary Wortley Montagu reports that the Turks have a habit of deliberately inoculating themselves with fluid taken from mild cases of smallpox. Lady Montague inoculates her own children in this manner.

1751. George Washington contracts smallpox.

1754 - 1767. During the French and Indian War, Sir Jeffery Amherst provides Indians loyal to the French with Variola-laden blankets.

1763. British officer Colonel Henry Bouquet proposes giving Indians at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania, Variola-infected blankets.

14 May 1796. British physician Edward Jenner injects the fluid from a blister on the hand of a milkmaid with cowpox into a boy.

July 1796. Edward Jenner injects his experimental patient [see entry for 14 May 1796] with smallpox. The boy is immune.

1798. Edward Jenner repeats his cowpox inoculation experiment.

History of Smallpox in Bioweaponry (1900 to 2001)

looking up......

Summary of Properties of Ionic Zinc Useful in Treating Viral Infections

1. Divalent zinc ions (Zn²⁺ ions) in aqueous solution have wide antiviral properties both in vitro and in vivo. Some of these viruses produce skin lesions "pox" similar to smallpox such as chickenpox, and cowpox.

2. Antiviral effects of Zn²⁺ ions on herpes simplex 1 and 2 viruses and infection in animals and humans have been demonstrated.

3. Avian myeloblastosis, bacteriophages, calicivirus, coxsackieviruses, equine herpes, herpes simplex I and II, polio, encephalomyocarditis, enterovirus, foot-and-mouth disease, mengovirus, Rous sarcoma, Semliki Forest, Sindbis, SV40, tobacco mosaic, vaccinia (causative agent of cowpox), viroids and prions, are all reported to have features controlled by Zn²⁺ ion usually at concentrations between 0.1 and 2.0 mMol without harm to cells.

4. The divalent zinc ion in aqueous solution has broad cell membrane protective features that prevent cells from being damaged by cytotoxins. Perhaps the most consistently reported effect of Zn²⁺ ion on mammalian cells is membrane stabilization. The exact mechanism by which zinc stabilizes cell membranes is not clear and may be different for different membranes. Hemolytic viruses, bacterial and animal toxins, components of activated complement, cytolysin (perforin), cationic proteins, and detergents have all been shown to induce a sequence of permeability changes at the plasma membrane that are in every case beneficially sensitive to changes in Zn²⁺ ion concentrations from normal levels up to 100 times normal serum concentration. Membrane damage induced by a wide variety of hemolytic agents can be prevented by zinc ions at normal to 100 times the normal concentration of zinc found in human serum without harm to cells. Within a range, as Zn²⁺ ion concentration is increased, the strength of protection also increases.

5. The divalent zinc ion in aqueous solution has important immnologic properties affecting the T-cell lymphocyte system, and induction of interferon.

6. The anti-inflammatory action of topical zinc preparations, often as zinc oxide, has long been used to inhibit inflammation of the skin (e. g., diaper rash, other dermatitis) in a safe and effective manner in ver-the-counter preparations. Zinc deficiency is often found in dermatologic diseases where inflammation is characteristic; and treatment with zinc (usually as zinc oxide) to control inflammation is common. With elevated concentrations of Zn²⁺ ions, the cement substance of capillary endothelium of all cells is known to become hardened so pathologic transcapillary movement of plasma protein is inhibited and local edema, inflammation, and exudation are thereby reduced. Mucus and other secretions are reduced in tissues containing goblet cells and other secretory cells, and the affected area dries and heals faster with added zinc ions. Because of very limited ionizability at the pH of skin, zinc oxide ointments probably are not suitable for treating smallpox lesions, although it should be better than no zinc ion topical treatment.

Historical Use of Zinc Sulfate to Treat Smallpox.

Smallpox Remedy from "The Home Cook Book, 1877".

"The following remedy a friend in Ohio tried in a case of confluent smallpox, when the doctor had little hope of saving the patient, and it saved the woman's life. The remdy is sure in scarlet fever. 'I herewith append a recipe that has been used to my own knowledge ina hundred cases. It will prevent or cure the small pox, even though the pittings are filling. When Jenner discovered cow pox in England, the wold of science hurled an avalanche of fame upon his head, and when the most scientific school of medicine in the world (that of Paris), published this panacea for the small pox it passed unheeded. It is unfailing as fate, and conquers it in every instance. It is harmless when taken by a well person. It will also cure scarlet fever. Take sulfate of zinc, one grain; fox glove (digitalis) one grain; half a teaspoon of water. When thoroughly mixed, add four ounces of water. Take a spoonful every hour, and either disease will disappear in twelve hours. For a child, smaller doses, according to age.'"

Possible Treatment Modalities for Viral Smallpox Infection

1. Provide dietary supplements of highly ionizable zinc sufficient to maximize T-cell lymphocyte function (approximately 2 mg / kg body weight / day), or that amount sufficient to increase zinc serum concentration to about 130 to 140 mcg/dL. Zinc chloride, zinc acetate, zinc sulfate, and zinc gluconate are representative of highly ionizable zinc compounds.

2. Apply solutions of highly ionizable zinc compounds directly to smallpox lesions and replace bandages or pastes at a frequency sufficient to maintain sterility. Zinc gluconate solutions can be applied in saturated solutions (approximately 400 mMolar) or in an wet aqueous paste without concern for tissue burning. However, other highly zinc compounds applied in high concentrations will usually cause tissue burns.

Zinc in National Food Supplies and Likely Impact of Smallpox in Nations

Considering the role of zinc in fighting viral infections, variations in zinc dietary content of foods in the nations of the world suggest that many nations would not have adequate zinc to survive smallpox epidemics. In the following figures by Ken Brown, M.D., Professor of Nutrition at the University of California at Davis, zinc is shown in national food supplies as percent of weighted mean per capita requirement. This data suggests that populations of nations illustrated in green would have sufficient zinc in their diets to reasonably well fight off smallpox infection. Populations of nations shown in yellow would have difficulty in fighting off smallpox, and populations of nations shown in orange would be severely impacted by smallpox. Populations of nations shown in red would be extremely impacted by smallpox.

However, if the effect of zinc deficiency on stunting growth of children (from WHO data) is considered then...

The impact of zinc deficiency in resisting smallpox is considerably greater for children in more nations, particularly African nations. The difference between these two figures suggests that the impact of smallpox outbreak would be devastating in children in most third-world nations.

Some cowpox references:

1. Katz E, Margalith E. Inhibition of vaccinia virus maturation by zinc chloride. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 1981;19:213-217 and
2. Zaslavsky V. Inhibition of vaccinia virus growth by zinc ions: effect on early RNA and thymidine kinase synthesis. Journal of Virology. 1979;29: 405-408 represent work done with zinc ion on cowpox virus, a close relative of the smallpox virus (variola).

U.S. Center for Disease Control facts about Smallpox

Much more to come...

[aristeides]

Taking such a small risk strikes me as a no-brainer, when the case for getting vaccinated is so strong from both a selfish and an unselfish standpoint. (Of course, I am confident that the risk to me would be essentially zero, since I was vaccinated both as a child and while in the military.)

[ladyjane]

Harpseal, I thought the death rate was higher than 15%. You are assuming a lower rate because of our general health status and medical care?

[harpseal]

I was using the low number so that my estimate of benefit exceeding cost would be unquestionable

[tomakaze]

RE:If they manufacturers won't stand behind it, I don't want the stuff.
 
Ditto.

[tomakaze]

RE:Create-A-Crisis and Clamp Down:
 
bump.

[webstersII]

>> 15% of those who have not been vaccinated will die from a smallpox infection.<< Actually more like 30%.

Maybe, maybe not. Check this out: “Smallpox has a slow transmission and is not highly contagious,” stated Joel Kuritsky, MD, director of the National Immunization Program and Early Smallpox Response and Planning at the CDC.

It seems that even though this is a deadly disease, there is a lot of hype concerning it. For more information, see the following article: http://www.mercola.com/2002/jul/10/smallpox_outbreak.htm

[CobaltBlue]

I don't really care whether the mortality rate is 10%, 30% or 50%. Those are not good odds when weighed against a vaccine with a mortality rate in the range of 1 in a million.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I agree. If this is such a potentially catastrophic epidemic, we should begin the orderly vacinnation process now and strongly encourage voluntary vaccination. If it is a "slow-spreading" disease, there will be no need for a panic, five-day innoculation program.

One of the disturbing things about this is the question of how much the government already knows about this threat they are deliberately withholding. The other question is whether or not they have blown the whole thing completely out of proportion to the practical threat. If the latter is true, to what end are they trying to spook the people?

I don't trust the government trying to use fear to force rapid compliance with their directives "for our own good."

One practical way to reduce the terrorist threat would be to more tightly control our borders and visas but, hey, that would make sense. Instead, let's just turn America into a panic-driven police state.

[Under the Radar]

Thank you for the ping.

[Vic3O3]

ping

[Paleo Conservative]

The death rate from the old smallpox vaccine before it was discontinued was about one in a million. Considering the awfulness of the threat, a few hundred deaths strikes me as a reasonable price for insurance.

If the vaccine were made available now on a voluntary basis, those who are at high risk of complications could opt out of being vaccinated. The population choosing to be vaccinated would probably be at lower risk of having the side effects. The herd immunity gained by vaccinating them would also protect those who are at high risk of side effects. A high level of herd immunity would also deter an attack in the first place.

[Paleo Conservative]

I don't really care whether the mortality rate is 10%, 30% or 50%. Those are not good odds when weighed against a vaccine with a mortality rate in the range of 1 in a million.

That's one in a million for the old vaccine given 30 years ago. It is quite possible that modern antiviral drugs developed to fight AIDS and other diseases might be able to drastically reduce that mortality rate. Unfortunately such treatments have not been tested in humans. The rate for revaccinations was more like one in four million.

[tallhappy]

I'll bet if the entire population was vaccinated, more people would die from reactions to the vaccinations than smallpox if everyone was just left alone. As Yogi Berra once said, "Include me out."

Nonsense, if there were an outbreak. If there were no outbreak, you'd be right. But this is to be done in response to an outbreak.

You can bet on it. You don't have to get inocculated (although you are probably too stupid to realize you were if you are any ways on the other side of thirty).