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Last Updated: Dec 27th, 2006 - 19:07:47 |
HARRISBURG - A 44-year-old New York City resident, who performed at a recent musical event in Mansfield, Tioga County, has tested positive for a case of inhalational anthrax, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson.
The man is a patient at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Bradford County, and is in stable condition. Dr. Johnson said the man poses no public health threat of transmitting anthrax to the community or the health care providers caring for him.
Dr. Johnson said, "The Department of Health has already sent a team of public health experts to Mansfield University to talk with and answer questions from any member of the community who may have attended the musical event on Thursday, Feb. 16, at Mansfield University where the man performed. While there is no public health threat, we are making public health professionals available to provide direct information to anyone who is concerned.
"Our immediate concern is to protect the public health and make sure that everyone understands the limited risk this case poses to the public. Transmission of anthrax from human to human is extremely rare. However, we take our public health responsibility very seriously, which is why we are meeting with residents of the university and Mansfield community to answer any questions or concerns they have."
Dr. Johnson said the meeting on campus will be held tonight at 7:30 at Straughn Auditorium on the Mansfield campus. The meeting is open to all students and the public.
The New York City man performed last week as part of Kotchegna, a dance company, that appeared at Steadman Theatre. After leaving the performance, the man collapsed and was taken to a local hospital. On Feb. 17, blood tests were taken and by Feb. 20, the tests began to indicate the possible presence of anthrax.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health was notified by the hospital, and a sample was sent to the DOH laboratory for further testing. On Feb. 21, the laboratory tests detected anthrax bacteria and a public health investigation began. Because the man is from New York City, the DOH notified the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the FBI.
According to Dr. Johnson, a team consisting of representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the FBI and the CDC are investigating the case to determine how the patient was exposed to anthrax.
At this time, there is no indication that the exposure was from an intentional release of anthrax. The patient has a history of contact with unprocessed animal hides and recently traveled to Africa, where he purchased unprocessed hides, which were then transported to New York City. The patient makes drums from the unprocessed animal hides. Unprocessed animal hides can be a source of anthrax spores.
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.
An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Pennsylvania and New York City departments of health in coordination with the FBI and New York City law enforcement. The investigation includes an environmental assessment of the patient's storage/work facility in Brooklyn, N.Y., and his home, and outreach to individuals who may have had contact with the unprocessed hides and/or the storage/work facility where the hides were processed, as well as members of the dance company, who are all from New York City.
Anyone with questions about anthrax should go to www.health.state.pa.us
or call 1-877-PA HEALTH.
###
For more information contact:
Troy Thompson
Department of Health
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-1783
Basics about anthrax
What Is Anthrax?
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms spores. A bacterium is a very small organism made up of one cell. Many bacteria can cause disease. A spore is a cell that is dormant (asleep) but may come to life with the right conditions.
There are three types of anthrax:
skin (cutaneous)
lungs (inhalation)
digestive (gastrointestinal)
How Do You Get It?
Anthrax is not known to spread from one person to another.
Anthrax from animals. Humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by breathing in anthrax spores from infected animal products (like wool, for example). People also can become infected with gastrointestinal anthrax by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.
Anthrax as a weapon. Anthrax also can be used as a weapon. This happened in the United States in 2001. Anthrax was deliberately spread through the postal system by sending letters with powder containing anthrax. This caused 22 cases of anthrax infection.
How Dangerous Is Anthrax?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies agents with recognized bioterrorism potential into three priority areas (A, B and C). Anthrax is classified as a Category A agent. Category A agents are those that:
pose the greatest possible threat for a bad effect on public health
may spread across a large area or need public awareness
need a great deal of planning to protect the public's health
In most cases, early treatment with antibiotics can cure cutaneous anthrax. Even if untreated, 80 percent of people who become infected with cutaneous anthrax do not die. Gastrointestinal anthrax is more serious because between one-fourth and more than half of cases lead to death. Inhalation anthrax is much more severe. In 2001, about half of the cases of inhalation anthrax ended in death.
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms (warning signs) of anthrax are different depending on the type of the disease:
Cutaneous: The first symptom is a small sore that develops into a blister. The blister then develops into a skin ulcer with a black area in the center. The sore, blister and ulcer do not hurt.
Gastrointestinal: The first symptoms are nausea, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, and fever, followed by bad stomach pain.
Inhalation: The first symptoms of inhalation anthrax are like cold or flu symptoms and can include a sore throat, mild fever and muscle aches. Later symptoms include cough, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, tiredness and muscle aches. (Caution: Do not assume that just because a person has cold or flu symptoms that they have inhalation anthrax.)
How Soon Do Infected People Get Sick?
Symptoms can appear within 7 days of coming in contact with the bacterium for all three types of anthrax. For inhalation anthrax, symptoms can appear within a week or can take up to 42 days to appear.
How Is Anthrax Treated?
Antibiotics are used to treat all three types of anthrax. Early identification and treatment are important.
Prevention after exposure. Treatment is different for a person who is exposed to anthrax, but is not yet sick. Health-care providers will use antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, doxycycline, or penicillin) combined with the anthrax vaccine to prevent anthrax infection.
Treatment after infection. Treatment is usually a 60-day course of antibiotics. Success depends on the type of anthrax and how soon treatment begins.
Can Anthrax Be Prevented?
Vaccination. There is a vaccine to prevent anthrax, but it is not yet available for the general public. Anyone who may be exposed to anthrax, including certain members of the U.S. armed forces, laboratory workers, and workers who may enter or re-enter contaminated areas, may get the vaccine. Also, in the event of an attack using anthrax as a weapon, people exposed would get the vaccine.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Anthrax?
If you are showing symptoms of anthrax infection, call your health-care provider right away.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Been Exposed to Anthrax?
Contact local law enforcement immediately if you think that you may have been exposed to anthrax. This includes being exposed to a suspicious package or envelope that contains powder.
What Is CDC Doing To Prepare For a Possible Anthrax Attack?
CDC is working with state and local health authorities to prepare for an anthrax attack. Activities include:
Developing plans and procedures to respond to an attack using anthrax.
Training and equipping emergency response teams to help state and local governments control infection, gather samples, and perform tests. Educating health-care providers, media, and the general public about what to do in the event of an attack.
Working closely with health departments, veterinarians, and laboratories to watch for suspected cases of anthrax. Developing a national electronic database to track potential cases of anthrax.
Ensuring that there are enough safe laboratories for quickly testing of suspected anthrax cases.
Working with hospitals, laboratories, emergency response teams, and health-care providers to make sure they have the supplies they need in case of an attack.
Source: CDC
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