Case of Anthrax in NY

[Fausto]

That link is a little misleading: Anthrax is very deadly, stable etc. But they fail to mention that a) it is very difficult to get a bunch of anthrax converted into spore form. b) just because you expose someone to the bug, doesn't mean they will contract it. It takes a LOT of anthrax via the cutaneous route to contract it or you have to inhale the spores very deep into your lungs in just the right manner. Humans are not a natural host, remember.

I posted a thread earlier with some other good info on anthrax.

Anthrax info

Fausto

 

[tontod]

What's scary is that the person or people responsible for this may be testing out its potency.

 

[StageLeft]

skoorb, i honestly believe that the people on the tv/media are trying to put down the threat of a large scale biological attack...

Dammit, stop correcting me. I'm safe ok?!? :Q

I've read stuff from a bunch of places although a .gov does lend credence to this unfortunately.

 

[Kaervak]

Oh yay. I just got a bunch of computer parts from NY and FL today. :Q

 

[Murpheeee]

so what are the symptoms of skin anthrax?

 

[BOK]

so how do you gid rid of the terorists in the US?

Two words: Ethnic cleansing

 

[BOK]

I believe this is just the work of some psychopath who has something against the media (not a Muslim terrorist). Think about it, why would you send a package to a media station, when you could do so much more creative damage?

 

[Fausto]

Basically the same as the pulmonary version.....just a different route of transmission is all.

Also: I don't think this is a "test" as it's already setting off alarm bells all over the place. Kinda defeats the element of surprise generally associated with terrorism, eh? I think terrs would have grown up a bunch of anthrax and dumped it in a subway system or something.....nice and dry and lots of strong airflow generated by the cars....plus lots of people. This is a whacko with a bio degree and an axe to grind with the media.


Fausto

 

I think if it were terrorists it would be much more wide spread. This is probably the work of some Unibomber type.

 

[tontod]

Well, a "test" in the sense that the individual(s) responsible is verifying the potency. Its very difficult to get a potent form of anthrax.

 

[Murpheeee]

how do you know its not more widespread......it has a 60 day incubation period

 

Well, the news employee got it from a letter. If it were terrorists they would crop dust Giants stadum and fly the plane into a building. I heard on CNN that if someone was to cropdust a city like DC with Anthrax it could wipe out as many as 100,000 people.

 

[StageLeft]

I heard on CNN that if someone was to cropdust a city like DC with Anthrax it could wipe out as many as 100,000 people

That would suck, but getting their hands on enough antrhax is tough.

 

[Murpheeee]

Latest from AP:

The network said it had received some suspicious mail and immediately contacted the FBI, CDC and the New York Department of Health.

``The mail was tested by these organizations, and the employee was treated by several physicians. All these tests came back negative,'' said the NBC statement. ``However, this morning, a later test on the employee came back positive for traces of cutaneous anthrax.''

 

[Pastore]

muhammad atta tried flying a crop duster before 9/11 didnt he?

makes you think twice... i bet they have the stuff, they are just waiting for the right time, and way of getting it out..

 

[syf3r]

there is also the fact that the nozzles on cropdusting planes are something like 20x the size they should be for effective anthrax dispersal. the object in spraying anthrax is to get it into a fine mist form so it blows in the air and can be breathed in... the spray from a cropdusting plane generates droplets rather than mist, which would quickly fall to the ground and hence not be inhaleable.

(that's not saying the nozzles can't be altered/replaced, i'm just saying that the effectiveness of a stolen cropduster in dispersing anthrax wouldn't be very high without some modding).

syf3r.

 

[Moonbeam]

ncircle comments, "These people would like to bring about our extinction.....we need to beat them to it!"

I disagree. Nothing will be solved by bringing about our own extinction before they can. Either way we're dead. Think about what you're saying before you go off half-cocked.

 

[Fausto]

Murph: the incubation period is UP TO 60 days. And that's in relatively rare cases when someone has been exposed and it takes a while for the bug to make its way into the lungs. Usually the second phase of infection takes place within a week of exposure. This from a friend here at CDC who works with the stuff with regard to bioterrorism readiness for a living, BTW.

Fausto

 

Yeah, Bush mentioned something about looking out for people wanting to mod crop dusters in his speech last night.

 

[Tripleshot]

I can see this ratcheting up more anger towards Iraq, and a demand to inspect again. If they refuse, begin an assult,and freeze all assets of Iraq. It is known by the intelligence community that Saddam has the labs,techinicans,scientists, and the wherewithall to sell this to Osama's terorists, or even play a part in its delievery.

Something is going on, and we are not getting the full story yet. This does not sound like the clarion call that GW gave in last nights speach. But none the less,I find this very disturbing. Not disturbing that the ass holes are doing this, but that we do not know how or when or with what the next attack will be.


Pre emtive reply

Ok, I am disturbed these ass holes are doing this.

 

[Murpheeee]

I heard a rumor the FL anthrax came from a lab in Iowa?

 

[Fausto]

We'll know a lot more once they determine whether or not this is the same strain as the one in Florida.

It is similar to an especially nasty strain from a lab in Iowa (Ames strain). Not the same strain as far as I know.

Fausto

 

[Pastore]

Murpheeeee... the FL anthrax strain is CLOSE to the one in Iowa, but not exactly...

 

[spaceman]

And i think to myself....what a wonderful world.........................................................................................................................





We need to form community watch groups,hell ill sit up @ my local reservoir for a few hours a day....we need to start watching everything for suspicious activity....


I think we can all do our part in "homeland defense"

 

[Moonbeam]

The florida strain is particularly virulent and is therefore an excellent choice as an infectious agent in the development of vaccines. It is in wide demand as an agent of research. It was discovered in a dead animal.