Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home
HAN

 

 

 

This is an official
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY

Distributed via Health Alert Network
Monday, October 08, 2001, 12:10 EDT (12:10 AM EDT)
CDCHAN-00025-2001-10-08-ADV-N

Update: Public Health Message Regarding Florida Anthrax Case

The ongoing investigation of anthrax in Florida has detected evidence that the bacterium that causes anthrax, (Bacillis anthracis) may be present in the building where the patient who died of anthrax worked.

· B. anthracis was identified in one nasal sample from another worker in the building, which suggests exposure. No other workers are known to have illness consistent with anthrax.

· One of many samples collected from the workplace environment contains B. anthracis. Final results on the other environmental samples will not be available for several days. In the meantime, public health officials, in cooperation with the company, have secured the building.

· The current risk of anthrax among employees and visitors to the building is extremely low. However, as a preventive measure, public health officials have begun to contact personnel who worked in the building since August 1, 2001, to provide antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment before symptoms occur will prevent anthrax. The incubation period from exposure to onset of illness with anthrax is usually 1-7 days, but may be as long as 60 days.

· Symptoms of inhalational anthrax include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue that rapidly progress to severe systemic illness. Workers who develop such symptoms will be advised to seek immediate medical attention for further evaluation.

· Anthrax is NOT contagious from one person to another. Family members and contacts of persons who work in or visited the building are not at risk and antibiotic therapy is not recommended for them. Other members of the community are not at risk. Public health officials, together with the FBI, are continuing the investigation.

For more information regarding this public health action in Florida, after 7 a.m., Monday, October 8, call: 1 800 342-3557

Media: Florida contact: 561 712-6400; CDC, pager 404 318-2380.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


HAN Message Types
  • Health Alert: Conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention. Example: HAN00001
  • Health Advisory: Provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action. Example: HAN00316
  • Health Update: Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action. Example: HAN00309
  • Info Service: Provides general information that is not necessarily considered to be of an emergent nature. Example: HAN00319

 

## This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers, Public Information Officers, Epidemiologists and HAN Coordinators as well as Clinician organizations ##

You have received this message based upon the information contained within our emergency notification database. If you have a different or additional e-mail or fax address that you would like us to use, please contact your State-based Health Alert Network program at your State or local health department.


Additional Resources
Contact Us:
Ready.gov - Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed.
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - Contact CDC-INFO

A-Z Index

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #