General Anthrax Info (mods pin to top plz?)

[Fausto]

Okay, there have been many threads of late with regard to anthrax's appearance in Floriday and its viability as a potential bioweapon so I feel compelled to put together an overview of this bacteria (not a virus) so everyone knows a little more about it and hopefully worries a little less. The main point I would like to convey is that, while anthrax is a very nasty bacteria, humans are not a natural host so your odds of contracting it when exposed are relatively slim compared to other potential bioweapons (smallpox for example is incredibly contageous in humans). The other reason anthrax is a relatively unattractive bioweapon is that it is only very rarely transmitted from an infected person to another (also unlike smallpox). Please read the articles linked below and feel free to post or PM me if they do not answer any questions you may have.


An excellent overview of anthrax (©1999 Kenneth Todar University of Wisconsin Department of Bacteriology)

ANTHRAX IN A BIOWAR ENVIRONMENT

Centers for Disease Control Anthrax Info page


Fausto

 

[ikar0s]

Pin to the top? This isn't a national epidemic we need to be concerned about. 3 cases in Florida...unfortunate...but still 3 cases out of 300 million possible victims?

 

[Aves]

<< Pin to the top? This isn't a national epidemic we need to be concerned about. 3 cases in Florida...unfortunate...but still 3 cases out of 300 million possible victims? >>



That's true, but it would stop the anthrax posts from popping up every five minutes.

 

[Fausto]

Aside from the posts popping up every five min, it's also something that unecessarily scrares the crap out of people <me points finger at the media for running "BIOWARFARE IN OUR BACKYARD" stories every day> and really shouldn't. Plus, there has been some misinformation in some of the threads, so I want everyone on the same page as to the facts about anthrax. Hence the request for a pin.

Thanks,
Fausto

 

[wyvrn]

Well, Fausto1, your sig "Please fasten your seat belts as we begin our terminal descent into oblivion." is probably not helping things out either.


LOL!

 

[Fausto]

**********ZING!*************


Good one wyvrn.

Just trying to be the good little federal employee and all. No reason I can't be a cynical bast*rd as a hobby on the side.

Fausto

 

[Tominator]

Good post Fausto1! There is bound to be much misinformation going around.