"Move along, folks. Nothing to see here."
Posted on 10/04/2001 1:22:40 PM PDT by rumrunner
(snippet from long article about bioterrorism by a molecular biologist)
It is also instructive to look at the occurrence of anthrax in industrial settings. Historically, workers involved with certain animal products were at the highest risk but only 18 cases of inhalational anthrax were reported in the US from 1900 to 1978. Human-to-human transmission of anthrax has never been reported.
"The patient was identified as Robert Stevens.
Investigators said he had recently returned from dropping his son off at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina."
"Move along, folks. Nothing to see here."
FROM DRUDGE: Still No Sign Of Missing Crop Spraying Plane Thu Oct 04 2001 13:22:54 ET Coast Guard aircraft searched for a third day Wednesday for a missing State Department plane used to spray crops during the drug war in Colombia. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Robert Swanson said no signs of the plane had been found as of late Wednesday. The single-engine plane, which carried only the pilot, took off early Monday from Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a dependent territory of the United Kingdom located southeast of the Bahamas. It was en route to Patrick Air Force Base, on Florida's East Coast south of Cape Canaveral. Swanson said two Coast Guard aircraft and a cutter were searching for the Ayres S2RHG-T65 Wednesday afternoon. He said a U.S. Air Force plane was expected to join them Wednesday evening. The search has expanded from an area 120 miles southeast of Freeport, Grand Bahama, to the entire outer Bahamas, Swanson said. State Department officials said the plane is being used in the anti-drug effort in Colombia and there is no reason to believe any criminal intent was involved in the disappearance.
However, the main question is does this man have Cutaneous, Inhalation, or Intestinal Athrax? It makes a difference and the symptoms are very differnet.
Cutaneous: Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.
"DOD Response to the Staff Report of the House Government's Reform Oversight Sub-Committee on National Security. See The Anthrax Terror DOD’s Number-One Biological Threat
and
Tracking Trends and Analyzing New and Emerging Infectious Disease Issues Around the World
meningitis - Inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by fever, vomiting, intense headache, and stiff neck.
Intestinal Anthrax: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.
Cutaneous Anthrax: Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Inhalation Anthrax: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
Maybe the lab is wrong.
Has anyone besides the U of F (or whatever) confirmed this?
It may be a lab error.
PS: Seen flying along the beach in South Florida: one tail-dragging crop duster, pulling a banner: EAT AT CRABBY BILL'S.
The incubation time can be as little as 12 hours, based on an article I read. 60 days is the maximum.
Incubation period is 1-6 days.
Get a grip people. Sheeeeese.
I was thinking manned bombers that they can't see.
Maybe something we have not seen yet.
You are correct...if the anthrax is purposely spread as a terrorist act, the incubation is said to be from 1 to 3 days for a sever disbursement, 3 to 7 days for a medium disbursement.
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