Common questions about anthrax from the public

How did the 2001 anthrax cases occur in the U.S.?

Most 2001 cases can be traced to contaminated letters handled by postal workers or media employees.

Is anthrax spread from person-to-person?

No, anthrax is not contagious and does not spread from person-to-person.

What should I do if I feel sick? Can I be tested or screened for anthrax?

There have been no cases of anthrax in King County. Continuous monitoring in King County by Public Health has found no unusual disease activity in our area.

There are no useful tests to determine if persons are infected with anthrax before they become ill. Nasal swabs to detect anthrax spores have been used in investigations of known anthrax exposure but these tests will not determine who will or will not become ill with anthrax.

Nasal swabs and other tests that are obtained during investigations help determine how the organism was spread. These tests do not provide useful information about whether a specific individual needs treatment. Persons who have had a confirmed or likely exposure to anthrax as determined by law enforcement and/or public health authorities would be advised to take preventive antibiotics regardless of the results of laboratory screening tests.

Persons with "flu-like" symptoms should know that these symptoms are caused by naturally occurring viruses and colds in the community. Please use common sense and decide if you need to see your health care provider based on what you would normally do. If you would usually see your health care provider for the symptoms you are currently experiencing, you should do so. If you would not usually seek medical care for your symptoms, then there is no new reason to do so at this time.

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Have there been anthrax cases in King County? How would we know?

There have been no cases of anthrax in our area. Physicians in King County are aware of the importance of quickly recognizing and reporting suspicious cases and clusters of illness to Public Health. Continuous monitoring in King County by Public Health has found no unusual disease activity in our area.

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Can I have an object tested for anthrax?

If you believe you have received a threatening letter or communication suggesting you have been exposed to anthrax (or any other harmful substance), or if you received a suspicious package or envelope, contact your local law enforcement agency by dialing 9-1-1. They will evaluate the situation and if necessary, in consultation with Public Health, determine if an investigation or laboratory testing of the object is necessary. If testing is not needed, then law enforcement will help you determine the best way to dispose of the object.

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Does the CDC recommend that everyone get an influenza immunization (flu shot) so that if they later have flu-like symptoms they will know they don't have influenza?

No. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that influenza vaccination be considered as a way to avoid confusing influenza disease with suspected anthrax illness for several reasons. First, symptoms such as fever, body aches, and headaches are common to many different infections, besides influenza and anthrax. Since the majority of such illnesses are not caused by influenza (or anthrax), influenza vaccination will not prevent many such cases of illness. Second, influenza vaccine is not 100% protective and some people who have been vaccinated will still develop influenza. Finally, CDC recommends that influenza vaccine supplies available during October should be targeted preferentially to health care workers, people with certain chronic medical conditions and the elderly who are at high risk for developing serious complications from influenza. Reducing influenza vaccine coverage of these groups could lead to an increase in hospitalization and deaths.

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