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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Biological warefare immunization prevention
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Biological warefare immunization prevention
by GregHall, Sep 20, 2001 12:00AM
As a family man and due to the horrific events of September 11th, I have become worried about our country's possible exposure to a bilogical terrorist attack. Assuming that it is only a matter of time until one is attempted, I want to have my family immunized aginst the most likely agents.
Specifically, I want to know exactly which diseases are most likely to be utilized should such an attack occur, and how I can obtain immunization for my family against such diseases. My assumption is that anthrax and small pox are two of the most likely candidates. Are there others?
If immunization is no longer available or not yet developed, I would like to know which government agency I can contact and which companies either have the FDA license to produce vaccine (such as Small Pox) or are leading in terms of vaccine research.
I know that this is a heavy request. However, I think that you will agree that it is better to be knowlegable and prepared rather than ill-informed and vulnerable.
Thank you,
Greg
Specifically, I want to know exactly which diseases are most likely to be utilized should such an attack occur, and how I can obtain immunization for my family against such diseases. My assumption is that anthrax and small pox are two of the most likely candidates. Are there others?
If immunization is no longer available or not yet developed, I would like to know which government agency I can contact and which companies either have the FDA license to produce vaccine (such as Small Pox) or are leading in terms of vaccine research.
I know that this is a heavy request. However, I think that you will agree that it is better to be knowlegable and prepared rather than ill-informed and vulnerable.
Thank you,
Greg
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-DT, Sep 21, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Greg,
Thank you for your question and for visiting the family practice forum. As a husband and father of 2 children, I share in your concern for the potential use of biological warfare by terrorists. The biological weapon we hear the most about today is Anthrax, however there are indeed many others to consider. These include smallpox, bubonic plague, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (virus), botulism, ricin, and sarin (nerve agent). As you may recall, Sarin was released in a Tokyo subway in 1995, killing 12 and injuring 5500. Presumably many more would have died but fortunately in this case the agents mixture was impure.
There is extensive information available on the internet describing these agents as well as vaccinations available for them. The problem you are faced with is, if you are going to vaccinate yourself and your family against these agents, which ones will you choose? There is a site which describes many of these agents very well and does help you determine how to respond if exposed to certain agents as well as which agents have vaccines available. There is a vaccine for Anthrax. I was unable to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine. The site I am referring to is at www.asod.org/id25.htm (American School of Defense). For more specific questions for the government, check into the US Department of Defense homepage at www.defenselink.mil
I wish you and you family well in this most troubling time.
Dean M. Tomasello, M.D.
Thank you for your question and for visiting the family practice forum. As a husband and father of 2 children, I share in your concern for the potential use of biological warfare by terrorists. The biological weapon we hear the most about today is Anthrax, however there are indeed many others to consider. These include smallpox, bubonic plague, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (virus), botulism, ricin, and sarin (nerve agent). As you may recall, Sarin was released in a Tokyo subway in 1995, killing 12 and injuring 5500. Presumably many more would have died but fortunately in this case the agents mixture was impure.
There is extensive information available on the internet describing these agents as well as vaccinations available for them. The problem you are faced with is, if you are going to vaccinate yourself and your family against these agents, which ones will you choose? There is a site which describes many of these agents very well and does help you determine how to respond if exposed to certain agents as well as which agents have vaccines available. There is a vaccine for Anthrax. I was unable to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine. The site I am referring to is at www.asod.org/id25.htm (American School of Defense). For more specific questions for the government, check into the US Department of Defense homepage at www.defenselink.mil
I wish you and you family well in this most troubling time.
Dean M. Tomasello, M.D.
Mike