Anthrax: facts, not fear. (Special Report).A new threat has struck the heart of the U.S.: bioweapons, deadly germs dispersed to make people sick or kill them. The threat began when a photo editor in Boca Raton Boca Raton (bō`kə rətōn`), city (1990 pop. 61,492), Palm Beach co., SE Fla., on the Atlantic; inc. 1925. Boca Raton is a popular resort and retirement community that experienced significant industrial development in the 1970s and 80s. , Fla., died in October from inhaling the rare but deadly germ anthrax anthrax (ăn`thrăks), acute infectious disease of animals that can be secondarily transmitted to humans. It is caused by a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis . As this issue goes to press, anthrax has killed 2 others and infected 12. What exactly is anthrax, and what are the facts--not fears--behind the menace? What is anthrax? Anthrax is a treatable disease caused by a microscopic bacterium (single-celled organism) called Bacillus anthracis Bacillus anthracis Infectious disease A gram-positive organism which causes often fatal infections when its endospores–resistant to heat, drying, UV light, gamma radiation, and many disinfectants–enter the body and cause septicemia Military medicine . In the U.S. anthrax is rare. But natural cases can occur when livestock like cattle inhale or eat soil-embedded anthrax spores (reproductive particles), or when humans contact infected animals, wool, hides, or meat. From 1994 through 2000, only four cases of anthrax were reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC See Control Data, century date change and Back Orifice. CDC - Control Data Corporation ). How do people catch anthrax? The bacteria spread to people in three ways: * skin: Spores enter the bloodstream via a cut or scrape, causing a cutaneous cutaneous /cu·ta·ne·ous/ (ku-ta´ne-us) pertaining to the skin. cu·ta·ne·ous adj. Of, relating to, or affecting the skin. Cutaneous Pertaining to the skin. , or skin, infection. This form accounts for 95 percent of all anthrax cases, 20 percent of which prove fatal. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * lung: When thousands of spores are inhaled into the lungs, they can lodge inside tiny alveoli Alveoli Small air sacs or cavities in the lung that give the tissue a honeycomb appearance and expand its surface area for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. (air sacs air sacs sacs that communicate with the respiratory, air-filled membranous system in birds and primates. avian air sacs there are eight air sacs in the chicken: an unpaired cervical, an unpaired clavicular, a pair of cranial ), spawn new bacteria, and secrete secrete /se·crete/ (se-kret´) to elaborate and release a secretion. se·crete v. To generate and separate a substance from cells or bodily fluids. toxins or poisons (see diagram, right). Ninety percent of cases are fatal. * intestinal tract: Eating under-cooked meat of infected animals can cause intestinal anthrax. A human case has never been reported in the U.S. Is anthrax contagious? "No," says microbiologist Steven Block Dr. Steven M. Block (born 1952) is a professor at Stanford University with a joint appointment in the departments of Biological Sciences and Applied Physics. In addition, he is a member of the scientific advisory group JASON, a senior fellow of Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute , a germ warfare germ warfare: see biological warfare. expert at Stanford University Stanford University, at Stanford, Calif.; coeducational; chartered 1885, opened 1891 as Leland Stanford Junior Univ. (still the legal name). The original campus was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. David Starr Jordan was its first president. in California. "And it often can be cured." What are the symptoms? You can be exposed to anthrax spores without ever getting sick. However, if infected, the CDC says the following symptoms generally occur within seven days: * skin: headache, fever, nausea, an itchy itch·y adj. Having or causing an itching sensation. lump that becomes a black scabby scab·by adj. 1. Having, consisting of, or covered with scabs. 2. Affected with scab or scabies. sore. * lung: flu-like symptoms--aches, fever, then coughing, chest tightness, troubled breathing, and--without treatment--shock and death. * intestinal tract: nausea, appetite loss, vomiting blood, fever, abdominal pain Abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms associated with transient disorders or serious disease. Making a definitive diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain can be difficult, because many diseases can result in this symptom. Abdominal pain is a common problem. , diarrhea. What's the treatment? Anthrax can be cured with bacteria-fighting antibiotic drugs if treatment begins within a few days of initial infection. Those exposed to spores, via contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. mail or other sources, are prescribed ciprofioxacin ("Cipro"), penicillin, or doxycycline--for preventative measures. In October, scientists announced a potential breakthrough: a new drug that mops up anthrax toxins in the bloodstream before they attack healthy cells. Says microbiologist R. John Collier at Harvard University: "With the tools we have, we can conquer this organism." Should I take antibiotics? If you haven't been exposed, taking antibiotics will not make you immune to anthrax. Worse, it may spur bacteria to develop resistance, a process that occurs when microbes mutate mu·tate intr. & tr.v. mu·tat·ed, mu·tat·ing, mu·tates To undergo or cause to undergo mutation. [Latin m (change) to thwart medicines' effectiveness. How do I protect myself from this "mail" scare? If you receive a letter with no return address, strange odors, powders, or stains--don't touch it. Leave the room, call your parents and local authorities right away, and wash your hands with antibacterial soap antibacterial soap A bactericidal agent used to clean the skin–eg, Betadine, pHisoHex under warm running water. Is anthrax easy to use as a weapon? "It's hard to do," says bioterror expert Jonathan B. Tucker Dr. Jonathan B. Tucker is a prominent United States chemical and biological weapons expert. Tucker earned a B.S. in biology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in political science (focusing on defense and arms control study) from MIT. at the Monterey Institute of International Studies The Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) is a graduate school in Monterey, California, United States, that specializes in programs in international relations, international business, and translation and interpretation. . To be misted into air (aerosolized Adj. 1. aerosolized - in the form of ultramicroscopic solid or liquid particles dispersed or suspended in air or gas aerosolised gaseous - existing as or having characteristics of a gas; "steam is water is the gaseous state" ) and breathed deeply, spores must be ground into particles 5 microns or smaller--a dangerous process that requires special equipment and training. Any "good news"? "Compared with other risks, catching anthrax is a very small risk," says Tucker. "You're at greater risk of a bicycle accident than being exposed to anthrax."
Beyond Anthrax: Five More Bioweapons
HOW IT'S SPREAD
SMALLPOX This wildly
The virus contagious virus
Orthopoxvirus spreads through
variola was wiped skin contact or
out in 1980. But tiny coughing. As a
amounts remain in weapon, it can be
labs worldwide. aerosolized, or
misted into the air.
PLAGUE Fleas that have fed
Caused by the on infected rodents
highly contagious spread plague to
bacteria Yersinia humans. Also
pestis, commonly spreads via air
found in rats. through coughing.
Can be aerosolized.
BOTULISM The bacteria can
Caused by the toxin grow in canned
made by Clostridium foods. As a germ
botulinum bacteria, weapon, the toxin
which thrive could be used to
without oxygen in poison food.
soil or canned food. Botulism is not
contagious.
HEMORRHAGIC Spread by rodents,
FEVER ticks, mosquitoes,
Four virus families dirty hospital
cause hemorrhagic needles, person-to-
(profuse bleeding) person contact.
diseases: Marburg, Highly contagious.
Ebola, and others. Can be aerosolized.
TULAREMIA Highly infectious, the
Caused by Francisella disease easily passes
tularensis, a bacteria through body tissues
in rodents and ticks. into bloodstream.
Can be aerosolized.
HOW IT ATTACKS
SMALLPOX About 12 days after
The virus exposure, symptoms
Orthopoxvirus like high fever,
variola was wiped backache, and body
out in 1980. But tiny rash appear. Thirty
amounts remain in percent of cases
labs worldwide. die.
PLAGUE Plague attacks lymph
Caused by the nodes, which fight
highly contagious infections. One to six
bacteria Yersinia days after exposure,
pestis, commonly fever and chills set in,
found in rats. then the coughing of
blood.
BOTULISM Botulism poisons the
Caused by the toxin nervous system,
made by Clostridium causing symptoms
botulinum bacteria, such as blurred
which thrive vision and extreme
without oxygen in weakness. Symptoms
soil or canned food. can take up to two
days to appear.
HEMORRHAGIC Fever and aches
FEVER begin four to 16
Four virus families days after infection.
cause hemorrhagic Virus interferes with
(profuse bleeding) blood clotting.
diseases: Marburg, Severity: mild to
Ebola, and others. deadly.
TULAREMIA Within three to
Caused by Francisella 14 days of exposure,
tularensis, a bacteria swollen glands, fever,
in rodents and ticks. and pneumonia set
in.
HOW IT'S TREATED
SMALLPOX No treatment
The virus exists after
Orthopoxvirus infection. A
variola was wiped vaccine is available,
out in 1980. But tiny and millions of
amounts remain in doses are now
labs worldwide. being produced.
PLAGUE Caught early,
Caused by the plague is treatable
highly contagious with antibiotics
bacteria Yersinia like streptomycin.
pestis, commonly Untreated, plague
found in rats. can kill in days.
BOTULISM If found early,
Caused by the toxin botulism can
made by Clostridium be treated with
botulinum bacteria, antitoxin drugs
which thrive that neutralize
without oxygen in poisoning. A
soil or canned food. ventilator aids
breathing.
HEMORRHAGIC No vaccines exist.
FEVER The infected must
Four virus families be isolated to
cause hemorrhagic prevent virus from
(profuse bleeding) spreading.
diseases: Marburg,
Ebola, and others.
TULAREMIA Antibiotics work,
Caused by Francisella but even without
tularensis, a bacteria them up to 95
in rodents and ticks. percent of infected
people recover.
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