Answers to Your Questions About Bioterrorism

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is an infection caused by a bacterium. Anthrax is not communicable; meaning it

cannot be passed on person to person. When persons are exposed to anthrax, antibiotics

are the main defense for preventing illness. If you were exposed to a release of anthrax

and an antibiotic treatment were started soon after the exposure; you could survive the

attack.

How would I know if I’ve been exposed?

At first you wouldn’t know. There are different symptoms for different germs and chemicals. We recommend doing what you would normally do if you get sick – see your own doctor. The

Public Health Department is providing information to physicians in our county so they would be able to identify any suspicious illnesses immediately.

What would happen if I were exposed to anthrax?

Anthrax is not communicable, meaning it cannot be passed on person to person. If you were

Exposed to a release of anthrax and an antibiotic treatment were started soon after the exposure, you could survive the attack.

Where can I get the anthrax vaccine?

The anthrax vaccine is not available commercially and is only provided to members of the military. This is because military personnel are at a higher risk of exposure. At this time national plans do not include routine vaccination of civilians for anthrax and anthrax vaccine is not available for general use.

Where can I get the smallpox vaccine?

The smallpox vaccine is not available to the general public. Part of why the vaccine is not available is because smallpox was eradicated in 1977. At this time national plans do not include routine vaccination of the public for smallpox.

Should my doctor prescribe preventive antibiotics against anthrax, plague, or other diseases?

You should know – no unusual illnesses, deaths, or credible threats have been reported in California. At this time public health officials do not recommend prescribing preventive antibiotics.

Should I have my own supply of antibiotics?

Personal supplies of antibiotics for use in the event of a biological attack are not recommended for several reasons. There are a number of different germs a bioterrorist might use to carry out an attack. Many antibiotics are effective for a variety of diseases, but there is no antibiotic that is effective against all diseases.

The likelihood of biological attack in any given community is low and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has large supplies of antibiotics ready for emergency distribution if needed. Hoarding antibiotics can lead to shortages of medication needed for persons with serious infections at this time who require treatment.

What protection would I get with a gas mask (respiratory protection)?

Gas masks could be effective under the right circumstances. What you should know is that it is very difficult to get adequate personal protection with gas masks. This is because each biological and chemical agent requires a different filter. If the filter doesn’t match what has been released, you will not be protected. Also, you need a professional fitting and proper training to use the mask correctly.

What should I consider suspicious mail?

Indicators of suspicious mail, developed from information provided by the FBI, include the following:

• Excessive string or tape or postage.
• Oily strains or discolored packaging, or crystallization on the wrapper.
• Wrong title with the name or Addressed to your title only
• Misspelled words or badly typed or written.
• No return address with restrictive markings like “Personal”, “Confidential” or “Special Delivery”
• Return address is not consistent with postmark
• Strange odor, rigid, bulky, lopsided or uneven packaging.
• Possibly mailed from a foreign county.

What should I do if I get suspicious mail?

Public Health and Law Enforcement officials recommend the following:

• If any of the above mentioned indicators are present, isolate the mail and call your local police.
• If any of the above mentioned indicators are present and don’t recognize the sender or are not expecting the delivery, do not open it and call your local police.
• Don’t smell or taste the package.
• Do not bump or shake it. Handle with care.

What should I do if I’ve opened suspicious mail?

Public Health and Law Enforcement officials recommend the following:

• If you suspect its an explosive device, evacuate immediately and call 911.
• If you suspect a biological or chemical exposure
• Don’t hold envelopes or packages close to your face and nose.
• Isolate the package and do not handle, just leave it on the table or desk.
• Call 911
• Wash your hands, take a shower, wash your clothes. The soap and water will wash any bacteria down the drain.
• If you wish, call your doctor to see if testing is advised.

What can I do to prepare my family and myself for a bioterrorist event?

Effective response to the release of germs and chemical will depend on exactly what has been released and where. Some of these agents are communicable, meaning they can be passed on person to person, but many others are not. The response requires taking specific measures against what has been released.

The best preparation will be the Public Health Department monitoring and surveillance which includes working with San Mateo County’s hospitals and physicians to report any suspicious illnesses immediately. If a release were to happen, emergency response and treatment would be put in place and you would be prepared for any emergency by having water, food, a radio, and other supplies on hand.

What is San Mateo County Public Health Department Emergency Plan?

What is San Mateo County Public Health Department’s Emergency Plan?

Preparedness activities are well underway in San Mateo County. The Public Health Department’s Emergency Operations Plan addresses a number of medical issues including specific responses to bioterrorism. As with any emergency, a coordinated response will be conducted with fire, police, health care providers and other public agencies.

In the case of bioterrorism, the Public Health Department Plan addresses detection, surveillance, laboratory analysis, emergency response, treatment, and communication with the public. There is no doubt that the critical element in responding to a bioterrorist attack is early detection and recognition. The San Mateo County Public Health Department is working with local, state and federal officials to expand our surveillance system to receive and pass information among physicians, other health care providers and health officials is in place.

Additionally, specific information about the unusual disease that might be the result of a bioterrorist attack have been distributed to all local emergency rooms and to every physician in San Mateo County, as well as to other health care providers.

Hopefully, we will never need to use the preparation plans being developed. However, it is critical that we are well prepared. The Public Health Department will continue to fulfill its essential role in emergency preparedness.

For more information, visit the Public Health Department’s web site at www.smhealth.org/bioterrorism.html or call the

Public Health Line at 650/573-2564.