September 11, 2001 : Attack on America
CDC Update: Ongoing Investigation of Anthrax in Florida; October 8, 2001
Distributed via Health Alert Network
Update: Ongoing Investigation of Anthrax in Florida
October 8, 2001
- Today public health officials in Palm Beach County Health Department began to evaluate and offer prophylactic treatment to persons who might have been exposed to Bacillus anthracis (the bacteria that causes anthrax) while working or visiting America Media Inc. (AMI) in Boca Raton, Florida.
- Persons known to have been in the AMI building for at least one hour since August 1, 2001, will be contacted if they have not already been evaluated. Those who are not currently in Florida might seek care in other jurisdictions. Contact your local or State health department if this happens in your jurisdiction, so that the information can be relayed to CDC and the Palm Beach County Health Department. For the prophylactic antibiotic treatment regimens recommended for persons potentially exposed to B. anthracis at AMI, contact the CDC. Additional information about prophylactic treatment for anthrax can be found at www.bt.cdc.gov .
- Federal agencies and public health officials are continuing to investigate anthrax in Florida.
- No additional cases of anthrax have been identified.
- Reminder: symptoms of inhalational anthrax include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue that rapidly progress to severe systemic illness. Workers and visitors associated with the AMI worksite in Florida who develop such symptoms should be thoroughly evaluated to exclude anthrax and be reported to the state health department.
Source:
U.S. Government Website
|
