Anthrax in New York!

[HeyYouNags]

Very good info. I had done a little MedLine search a couple of days ago, and really couldn’t find anything current, at least from North American publications, on anthrax in animals. I remember studying it in college, but that was several eons ago.

The human vaccine has been in use and/or development for some years. I believe there had been some dissent among people in the military, some of whom felt they were being used as guinea pigs for the anthrax vaccine. Vaccination itself is certainly not without risk (and it’s uncertain how effective anthrax vaccine would be), so I personally won’t be the first in line when it’s made available to the general public.

[Anne_FS]

I’m with you, Beezer. This stuff just moves me from scared to ANGRY and DETERMINED. There are what, 280 million of us, and we’re all going to be watching out for each other, and watching for anything unusual and these evil people will not win. Have to admit I’m glad we’re getting down to the bombs that take care of the caves and the underground stuff. As pacifist as I was, I truly think this is an us-or-the-terrorists situation.

Has anyone seen the drawing of the Statue of Liberty holding a baby in one arm and a gun in the other? She’s quietly looking right at you saying, “The most dangerous place in the world is between a mother and her children.”

[Jennasis]

I thought Cipro was the only drug approved by the FDA to fight Anthrax?

I could be wrong.

Things are quiet today in the newsroom. We have been getting lots of phone calls from people worried about “white powder” they found in various places. I think much of it is panic.

[Erin]

http://www.msnbc.com/news/638169.asp

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Anthrax case reported in New York

NBC employee tests positive after handling “suspicious mail”

NBC, MSNBC AND NEWS SERVICES

NEW YORK, Oct. 12 – An NBC News employee has tested positive for anthrax after handling “suspicious mail” that was sent to NBC’s New York headquarters, network officials said Friday. The case of “cutaneous anthrax” – which is contracted through the skin rather than by breathing – is being investigated by the FBI and federal and local health officials, the network said. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe “cutaneous anthrax” is different from the inhaled variety that killed the man in Florida.

[Seven]

& we just had a big meeting about it.

At this point, they are only testing employees for it on the two floors where she spent the most time. And we’re not being ordered to evacuate, yet.

=^+^=

[Jennasis]

Thanks…right now the entire newsroom is FREAKING out. We are wondering what we should do to protect ourselves since the targets seem to be news outlets.

Looks like I quit too late…my last day in this place is supposed to be next Saturday. WOuldn’t it suck if I died of ANTHRAX because of this lousy job?

[N_B_T]

…from the barn and saw this thread.

I haven’t previously mentioned what has made some news down here in the last few days–numerous cases (I saw at least 5-6 reported in Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, and Miami Herald) of “suspicious mail” being received by people in Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties.

People are opening manila envelopes and finding a mysterious white or greyish powder within, and, naturally, phoning the authorities! The calls have been taken very seriously, the powder has been carefully investigated and analyzed, and the last newspaper report said the powder was deemed harmless (in some cases, people did report a burning or stinging sensation when the powder contacted their skin). There was no news about it yesterday.

I didn’t mention it on the board because I don’t like alarming people for what might have been a wacko’s prank; although I was surprised there had been no national media reports of this with all the attention focused on the anthrax cases in Florida.

More news: I came to the bb before checking the news–while at the barn, two people told me a mysterious powder had been found on a Continental plane at Palm Beach Airport, and that the airport was closed temporarily.

It’s hard to know exactly what is going on

I’m going to news sites now.

[Anne_FS]

Jennasis, the suspicious package was received 2 weeks ago??? And they told authorities immediately? So was it thrown away or did she still have it? Where is it now? Was she tested days ago (after receiving the suspicious pkg.) & we’re hearing now because the test came back positive?

[gwen]

Yah!!! MAD is more like it!!!

Barb

[Miniwelsh]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jparkes:
…no connection to 9/11.
Go about your normal lives. Go to the mall, buy a car, go flying, etc.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don’t quite agree that this has nothing to do with 9/11. If these were completely separate, why haven’t the US citizens with anthrax handy been doing this for years? did they all just know to save up their anthrax for 2001, September when the US would be attacked? Sorry, too much of a coincidence for me. I have flown since 9/11 and was quite unimpressed with the security at the airports. I have gone to the mall, I am considering buying a car…all while watching coworker after coworker be laid off. The fact that new substantiated reports of anthrax come up daily makes me believe this is just more than an isolated incident that we shouldn’t be concerned about…

Behind every good woman lies a trail of men

[vineyridge]

Take heart from the fact that the anthrax has been sent to media outlets to maximize coverage.

I would bet that they have a limited supply of the bugs and are using them for psychological warfare instead of actually starting epidemics.

[M_O_Connor]

So, I’m watching the news conference, and I’m wondering when someone will ask:

So, if the stuff is going through the mail…should postal workers be worried? Like, where was it while it was on it’s way to it’s ultimate destination? This gives new meaning to the term “junk mail…”

[Charis]

I have paid acess to MD CONSULT and have done research:

FROM ALL MEDICAL JOURNALS AND TEXTS:

Cutaneous anthrax: Most common and least deadly,
can be contracted through contact with animals, most common vector: goats and cows. Low mortaltiy rate. Easily treatable.

Anthrax of the digestive tract: Contracted through eating contaminated meat, most commonly goat meat. Mortality rate: 20 to 30%.

RESPIRATORY ANTHRAX: Bacterial spores must be inhaled into the lungs. 90% to 100% fatal ONCE SYMPTOMS APPEAR.
Cipro used immediately after exposure prevents it. Is NOT contagious from person to person. Bacterium spores are “waxy” and can survive a long time in the environment.

Biggest problem currently:
Only one lab produces the vaccine and it IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO MEET FDA STANDARDS.

IN OTHER WORDS, CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN AND DEMAND THAT THE GOVERNMENT TAKE ACTION to get the proper production of vaccine up and running.

Jacque Ehrlich BA RN

[findeight]

I’d say no doubt the Antrax is being mailed. Only 8 cases in the US in the last century. From what the MDs say you need to inhale a bunch of the stuff to get sick, the last 2 tested positive for the spores but not the disease itself, no telling if it would have developed.
Remember the Unibomber??? This guy sent bombs thru the mail.
We have plenty of wackos alright.

From Allergy Valley USA

[Magnolia]

My boyfriend was telling me last night about this stuff called “Yellow Powder” that an OSHA training class leader was talking about. Seems the soviets used it in Afghanistan and it killed a bunch of people with Ebola like symptoms. They released bombs of it and people inhaled the dust- and got sick. I hope they don’t get their little paws on that stuff!
His company is trying to branch into disaster preparedness by marketing these showers that set up really quickly in public places. Sad that the new way to make money is going to be disaster preparedness.

The witchy witch witch of south central NC.

[Merry]

Anne, that’d be a powerful image. I’d love to know where to view or get a copy of such an image.

I’m at home under direction to man the fire watch for Beezer’s homeland. So far I smell smoke, but I think it’s across the canyon from both of us. I can just see me attempting to break into Beezer’s house and rescue the Jack Russells.

As for Cipro, I take it on a nearly daily basis anyway for a completely non-Anthrax problem. Watch my supplies dry up!

Who’d have thought it’d ever come to this? God help us if we all become overwhelmed with panic, although I admit that I’ve decided not to go to Las Vegas next week. Too many prominent targets.

“Friends don’t let friends eat fish tacos.”

[Miniwelsh]

BREAKING NEWS from CNN.com

– Anthrax spores found in Boca Raton, Florida, post office, Associated Press reports. Details soon.

President Bush says Sen. Majority Leader Daschle’s office received letter that tested positive for anthrax. Details soon.

Behind every good woman lies a trail of men

[Cactuskate]

My thought too Erin. Does anyone remember the Tylenol tampering scare and mess years ago? This has the making of the same scenario.

“The older I get, the better I used to be, but who the heck cares!”

[Jennasis]

Ok, it has NOT been confirmed that it is Tom Brokaw’s assistant (but that is the rumor circulating the newsroom here).

The suspicious envelope was recieved 2 1/2 weeks ago NOT 10 days.

The third floor has been sealed off, not the basement.

Authorities are saying that there is not YET any connection between the terrorist attacks and this anthrax case.

The POWDER found in the mailroom has not tested positive for anthrax but the woman has.

No reason to believe the disease has spread to other employees.

The woman is being treated and is expected to fully recover.

Speculate all you want but we in the newsroom have been watching the live press conference with Giuliani and the COO of NBC. This information is completely up to date as of 12:38…

[coco]

Charis, can you tell us more about Cipro – is it without risk? (ie safety for pregnant women?)