ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ANTHRAX

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 ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ANTHRAX

Anthrax   -  A contagious disease of many animals, including farm livestock, that can be transmitted to man. Caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, it is usually caught by eating contaminated food. The symptoms often appear suddenly, with a rise in temperature, staggering, difficulty in breathing, convulsions, and death. In horses and pigs a more gradual form may occur, with progressive swelling of the throat and neck resulting in breathing difficulties and choking. In many countries the authorities must be notified of any outbreaks. Treatment is with antibiotics and prevention is by vaccination of herds. Man may develop localized swellings after handling infected carcasses or pneumonia from inhaling the bacterial spores (wool sorters’ disease).

A National Guardsman stands watch over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge following possible terrorist threats. (AP Photo)

This page contains lots of information on what was a very emotive subject. It is for INFORMATION ONLY. Whilst we attempt to be 100% correct in what we report, errors and omissions are taken as read. Please see Terms of site.

The Anthrax Rules    

Anthrax is principally a disease of domesticated and wild mammals, particularly herbivorous animals, such as cattle, sheep, horses, mules, and goats. Humans become infected almost incidentally when brought into contact with diseased animals, which can include their flesh, bones, hides, hair and excrement, or anywhere the germ may be lurking.  

Generally it is accepted that in the main, Cattle get Anthrax, but any mammal is susceptible. 

Anthrax is  caused by the endospore-forming bacterium, Bacillus Anthracis. These bacteria have been found naturally in soil samples from around the world, it is said by some that the spores can lie dormant for up to a thousand years but they are not easily found.

Anthrax: Perhaps the best known biological weapon is anthrax, the Bacillus anthracis bacterium. Research to weaponize anthrax was performed by the UK during World War II. The UK produced million of cattle cakes spiked with anthrax to retaliate in case the Nazis would have used biological weapons. After field trials with anthrax bombs on Gruinard Island in Scotland, this isle was lethally contaminated and off limits for any human being for nearly 50 years. Some would argue it is still unsafe to walk these shores.

Anthrax is one of the best known agents of biological warfare - and possibly one of the most feared.

Anthrax Spores. Spores can be 3 microns in diameter; a human hair is 25 microns. Spores are so small that they can escape from sealed envelopes through very small gaps and cross-contaminate other 'innocent' mail.

In the USA there are recognized areas of infection in South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and California; small areas exist in other states. Even in endemic areas, anthrax occurs irregularly, often with many years between occurrences. The SPORE is a particular stage in the life cycle of the ANTHRAX organism; during this stage it goes into STASIS and remains dormant until something happens in its natural environment. When it is in the new environment that offers it future survival, it germinates. 

Bacillus Anthracis spores and vegetative cells

Germination. The initial stages in the growth of a seed to form a seedling. The embryonic shoot (plumule) and embryonic root (radicle) emerge and grow upwards and downwards respectively. Food reserves for germination come from *endosperm tissue within the seed and/or from the seed leaves (cotyledons). See also *epigeal; *hypogeal. 2. The first signs of growth of spores and pollen grains.

Bacillus Anthracis is classified as a Gram-positive, non-motile, (non-spontaneous movement), spore-forming bacterium. It is capable of growth under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Vegetative cells are 4-8um long x 1-1.5um wide.  The spores of Bacillus species, called endospores, and are known to be the most hardy and durable of all resting cells produced in Nature. This is perhaps why they are being used in the present situation.

Pathogens

Pathogen Any disease-causing microorganism. Pathogens include viruses, rickettsiae, and many bacteria, fungi, and protozoans. 

Under normal circumstances, in humans, anthrax is fairly rare; the risk of infection is about One in 100,000. One could equate catching Anthrax with that of AIDS; they are both very difficult to catch and will not infect anybody unless it is under erroneous circumstances.

The most common form of the disease in humans is cutaneous anthrax, which is usually acquired via injured skin or mucous membranes. A quite minor scratch or abrasion, usually on an exposed area of the face or neck or arms, is invaded by spores from the soil or a contaminated animal or carcass. The spores germinate, vegetative cells multiply, and a characteristic lesion develops at the site. In severe cases, where the blood stream is eventually invaded, the disease may be fatal. The blood stream will carry the disease everywhere around the body, and the body's defenses, plus even any other defense mechanism such as anti-biotics, will not be able to cope with the huge invasion that this would present.

Cutaneous Anthrax, is the disease that develops at the skin level. 

Handling, in the main, large numbers of the spores with skin that is generally damaged, and the damage need only be slight, AND / OR continued handling with skin that seems impervious, can result in an infection. 

It is best OBVIOUSLY not to handle anthrax spores at all, however, if you feel that it may be inevitable, through some accident, surgical rubber gloves would be necessary to protect you. Under the present circumstances do NOT open or handle an envelope that looks at all suspicious. Be alert at all times. Do NOT open suspicious packages / letters. 

WASH HANDS and/or SHOWER, AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. USE a STRONG ANTI-BACTERIAL HAND WASH.

Have at hand always, a very large zip-lock plastic envelope to seal any suspect package in. Call 911, or 999 if in UK or 123 if in Europe.

Consider for several moments who might have sent you such a letter and whether you need to call the authorities. Remember the EMS are presently snowed under with all the calls that they are getting on this subject. Please note that persons receiving infected envelopes at present, are usually government or media bodies.

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, the president's advisor on Homeland Security, said that all the anthrax tested appears to have come from a single source (Photo courtesy The White House)

Ridge said that all the anthrax spores tested are from a type known as the Ames strain, named for a bio-weapons research center in Ames, Iowa. The strain, which is used for research in universities around the world, is also used to test vaccines.

The "Washington Post" reported Wednesday that the anthrax spores were treated with a chemical additive that allows the spores to remain airborne longer - making it far more likely that those exposed will inhale the dangerous substance and develop the dangerous, often fatal, inhalation form of anthrax.

"I can say to you without question, this is anthrax, and the samples from New York, Washington and Florida are all from the same family or strain. That's been documented by DNA testing," Major General John Parks, the commanding general at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command at Fort Detrik, Maryland told reporters.

"When we look at these spores underneath the microscope, they are uniform in size and highly concentrated, and highly pure," Parks added. "And these individual spores are very light, and if given some energy from, say, wind or clapping or motion of air in a room, they will drift in the air and fall to the ground."

"The good news," Parks said, "is that this strain is susceptible to all of the antibiotics that we have in the United States, from penicillin all the way to the most recent advanced quinolines that we have available."

Daschle said officials do not know whether the anthrax is coming from one source or multiple sources.

"I'm not prepared to tell you today the range of potential actors who could have created as pure and as concentrated and as respirable an anthrax as we are working on and investigating now. I don't know whether it's a large range or a narrow range," Ridge said.

But "clearly we are up against a shadow enemy," people who have no regard for human life, and who "are determined to murder innocent people," he said.  

The letter which brought anthrax to Senator Tom Daschle's office carried the return address of a nonexistent school (Photo courtesy FBI)

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS HANDWRITING; THERE IS STILL A REWARD

Anthrax spores have now affected all three branches of the U.S. government. A letter containing anthrax was received at the office of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and anthrax spores have been found at mailrooms serving Congress, the White House, and - confirmed late today - the U.S. Supreme Court and the Central Intelligence Agency

Another form of the disease, inhalation anthrax, wool-sorters' disease; the most dangerous, results most commonly from inhalation of a spore-containing dust. The spores recognize an environment for a change in the life-cycle and the anthrax cells multiple exponentially. The disease begins abruptly with high fever and chest pain. It progresses rapidly to a systemic hemorrhagic pathology and is often fatal if treatment cannot stop the invasive aspect of the infection.

Inhalation Anthrax. This form affects the lungs and these organs become the germination vehicle for rapid growth. Because the lungs are designed to pass on oxygen through the body the cells are easily spread and understandably thrive under these  conditions. Fast and powerful anti-biotics are needed very quickly, if the patient is to survive. Symptoms are very similar to that of FLU.

Obviously again, it is best not to breathe in the spores in the first place. Under these emergency conditions people must be more than vigilant in staying away from incidents that may lead to an inhalation. In is very very unlikely that anyone under normal circumstances will breathe in these spores but persons, such as postal workers, are now in the firing line as possible victims.

It maybe prudent if all citizens carried paint-sprayers masks (and surgical gloves) on their person that may give some initial defense should they ever be in a situation where they know that spores are in the air.

Intestinal anthrax is analogous to cutaneous anthrax but occurs on the intestinal mucosa. As in cutaneous anthrax, the organisms probably invade the mucosa through a pre-existing lesion. The bacteria spread from the mucosal lesion to the lymphatic system. Intestinal anthrax results from the ingestion of poorly cooked meat from infected animals. Intestinal anthrax, although extremely rare in developed countries, has an extremely high mortality rate.

Intestinal Anthrax, the causes above are obvious and because the invading cells grow so quickly and is able to spread the best defense, as in ALL variants, is avoidance. In civilized countries meat is generally of such high standards that any human contamination of anything is highly unlikely. But we must consider sabotage and therefore meat must be cooked for unreasonably longer, at a much higher temperature than before. Consider going vegetarian or using processed food.

Meningitis due to B. anthracis is a very rare complication that may result from a primary infection elsewhere.

The infectious dose of anthrax organisms is highly variable from animal species to species, and it varies widely dependent on the route of inoculation. The symptoms and clinical manifestations of the disease can be found at:

www.gsbs.utmb.edu/microbook/ch015.htm 

The bacteria are able to invade their animal hosts because they are resistant to the hosts' phagocytic defenses.   

Phagocyte n. leucocyte capable of engulfing and absorbing foreign matter. [Greek phag- eat, kutos cell]. This is what the white-cells do, they engulf and kill all foreign bodies in the blood stream.

During and after invasion, the bacteria produce a toxin which has a lethal mode of activity. Death from anthrax in humans or animals frequently occurs suddenly and unexpectedly. The level of the lethal toxin in the circulation increases rapidly quite late in the disease, and it closely parallels the concentration of organisms in the blood. 

Treatment

Antibiotics should be given to unvaccinated individuals exposed to inhalation anthrax. Penicillin, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones (Cipro) are effective if administered before the onset of lymphatic spread or septicemia, estimated to be about 24 hours. Antibiotic treatment is also known to lessen the severity of disease in individuals who acquire anthrax through the skin. Inhalation anthrax was formerly thought to be nearly 100% fatal despite antibiotic treatment, particularly if treatment is started after symptoms appear. A recent Army study resulted in successful treatment of monkeys with antibiotic therapy after being exposed to anthrax spores. The antibiotic therapy was begun one day after exposure. 

CIPROFLOXACIN is an anti-bacterial and anti-biotic drug which is one of the QUINOLONE family. It can be used to treat infections in patients who are allergic to penicillin or whose strain of bacteria is resistant to standard antibiotics. It is active against Gram-Negative bacteria including salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Neisseria and Pseudomonas and to a lesser extent against Gram-Positive bacteria of the Streptococcal family It is used to treat infections of the urinary, gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, gonorrhea and septicemia. But usually only when these cases are resistant to more conventional agents. It can also be used to prevent meningococcal meningitis and infection during surgical procedures

Administration can be oral in the form of tablets or even as eye-drops, or by intravenous infusion.

Side effects are similar to that of ACROSOXACIN : which are,  nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, sleep disorders, rash, pruritus (severe itching),  fever, photosensitivity, increase in blood creatinine and urea, transient disturbances in liver enzymes and bilirubin (yellow skin caused by extra bile in the blood), joint and muscle pains and blood disorders. Less frequently there may be anaphylaxis, anorexia, confusion, hallucinations and sensory disturbances

Anaphylaxis. An abnormal immune response that occurs when an individual previously exposed to a particular antigen is re-exposed to the same antigen. Anaphylaxis may follow an insect bite or the injection of a drug (such as penicillin). It is caused by the release of histamine and similar substances and may produce a localized reaction or a more generalized and severe one, with difficulty in breathing, pallor, or drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and possibly heart failure and death. 

But some effects are dyspepsia, flatulence, liver and kidney impairment, difficulty in swallowing. An adequate fluid intake should be maintained

CIPROXIN  (Baypharm) is a proprietary prescription only preparation of the ANTIBACTERIAL and ANTI BIOTIC drug CIPROFLOXACIN. It can be used to treat a variety of infections.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ACTUALLY HAVING TO TAKE ANY DRUG IS A WORST CASE SCENARIO. ALSO WHEN YOU DO TAKE ANY DRUG THE SIDE -EFFECTS CAN ALSO BE QUITE NEGLIGIBLE IN THEIR MANIFESTATION.

Apparently at least 10,000 Americans, during the outbreak, took Cipro or other anti-biotics when they do not have an infection. Anti-biotics should only be taken when there is an infection to fight. Taking Cipro whilst being uninfected may weaken any future influence that any anti-biotic will have, when there is an infection present. This is DIFFERENT from immunization.

Prior to 9-11, the anthrax vaccine is produced under contract to the Department of Defense, and only small quantities are made available as needed to civilians who are exposed to anthrax hazards in their work environment, such as veterinarians, lab workers and others. An attempt to immunize 2.5 million members of the military ended three years ago, but that policy is being reevaluated. If the manufacturer receives approval from the FDA, vaccine production will resume. At present great quantities of suitable vaccine is being produced all around the World. Germany is to sell to the USa 300 million anti-biotic tablets at 95 cents each. Johnson & Johnson is to give to the USA Government 100 million doses of its best anti-biotic. Pfizer, had hundreds of millions of doses of VIBRAMYCIN, now in production. ALSO, the US has acquire 250 million doses of Small-Pox vaccine. 

The anthrax vaccine is a preparation of the protective antigen (a fraction of the toxin) recovered from the culture filtrate of an avirulent, non-encapsulated strain of Bacillus Anthracis. Anthrax immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given two weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are required to maintain a protective level of immunity. 

The inhalation of anthrax spores can lead to infection and disease. The possibility of creating aerosols containing anthrax spores has made B. anthracis a chosen weapon of bio-terrorism. Iraq, Russia, Korea and as many as ten nations have the capability to load spores of B. anthracis into weapons. Domestic terrorists may develop means to distribute spores via mass attacks or small-scale attacks at a local level.

As an agent of biological warfare it is expected that a cloud of anthrax spores would be released at a strategic location to be inhaled by the individuals under attack. Spores of B. anthracis can be produced and stored in a dry form and remain viable for decades in storage or after release. 

There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of anthrax. Quarantine of affected individuals is not recommended. Anthrax spores may survive in the soil, water and on surfaces for many years. 

Spores can only be destroyed by steam sterilization, boiling for longer than 30 minutes or burning. 

The U.S. Navy Manual on Operational Medicine and Fleet Support, entitled Biological Warfare Defense Information Sheet states:

"Dis-infection of contaminated articles may be accomplished using a 0.05% hypochlorite solution.  (1 tbsp. bleach per gallon of water). 

Spore destruction requires steam sterilization." It has also been reported that boiling (100 degrees C) for 30 minutes kills endospores of B. anthracis.

An infection of local animal populations such as sheep and cattle could follow a biological attack with spores. Infected animals could then transmit the disease to humans through the cutaneous, intestinal or inhalation route by spores from a contaminated animal, carcass or hide. 

A segment of the U.S. military population has been vaccinated against anthrax. Anthrax vaccine consists of a series of six doses with yearly boosters. The first vaccine of the series must be given at least four weeks before exposure to the disease. This vaccine protects against anthrax that is acquired through the skin and it is believed that it would also be effective against inhaled spores in a bio-warfare situation. 

It is hoped that this information has been useful in informing its readers. 

For a site that believes in the probability that humanity will not last much further than the year 2100, due to a myriad reasons of human self-destruction, we feel that the 9-11 atrocity  may pale into insignificance,  as the century ticks along to ever increasing atrocities that befall us. 

Ironically, the use of such strong anti-biotics, such as Cipro, is said to be one likely reason for the demise of humanity. Many eminent scientists believe that the humble common germ will eventually be the downfall for 99% of human life. We have for the last 100 years been waging a war against the common bacteria and have used many ingenious regimes to tackle these infinitesimal creatures. However, due to the fact that the life-cycle of such small cells is measured in hours as opposed to decades for us, there is a far greater propensity for mutation and resistance to any anti-body that we would wish to throw at our small friends. One day it is said that no longer will any anti-body, or protective antigen, work and 99% of us will die and it may be of just the common cold. This why the taking of such drugs must be carefully considered.

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