[Oremem/Idamem] anthrax advisory from CDC

[Phillip Barker]

This is an official CDC Health Advisory

Distributed via Health Alert Network
November 7, 2003, 00:40 EDT (12:40 AM EDT) 
CDCHAN-00162-03-11-07-ADV-N
  
	A routine air-sampling sensor in the Anacostia-Naval Postal Sorting
Facility recorded a positive screening signal for Bacillus anthracis, the
agent of anthrax.  These results are considered preliminary and additional
testing is underway to clarify these results and determine whether the
initial test was accurate.  This mail handling facility is located on the
grounds of the Anacostia Naval Station in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan
area.  

	Clinicians are urged to review the signs and symptoms of anthrax and
consider the diagnosis with their patients.

	Inhalational anthrax starts with a nonspecific prodrome (i.e.,
fever, dyspnea, cough, and chest discomfort) follows inhalation of
infectious spores. Approximately 2--4 days after initial symptoms, sometimes
after a brief period of improvement, respiratory failure and hemodynamic
collapse ensue.  Inhalational anthrax also might include thoracic edema and
a widened mediastinum on chest radiograph. Gram-positive bacilli can grow on
blood culture, usually 2--3 days after onset of illness. 

	Cutaneous anthrax follows deposition of the organism onto the skin,
occurring particularly on exposed areas of the hands, arms, or face. An area
of local edema becomes a pruritic macule or papule, which enlarges and
ulcerates after 1--2 days. Small, 1--3 mm vesicles may surround the ulcer. A
painless, depressed, black eschar usually with surrounding local edema
subsequently develops. The syndrome also may include lymphangitis and
painful lymphadenopathy.

	Clinicians are encouraged to review the additional information on
Anthrax at: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp 

Any suspected cases of anthrax should be immediately reported to the
appropriate local or state health department.  


Phil Barker
Curry County Computer Services
Gold Beach, Oregon 97444
541.247.3370 Desk
541.253.7550 Cellphone