Farm and Home Biosecurity
Consumer/General Public and Livestock/Row Crop Producer
The Potential for Anthrax in the Workplace -
What It Is and How To Deal With It
Recent events in New York awoke the United States to the new
reality of an enemy present on our shores. President Bush has made it very clear
that things will not be the same for the foreseeable future, since we are indeed
at war. Democracy as a target is nothing new. This fight has been fought before
and won, it will be so again. What is new is the fact that the fight will be
fought in part here in the US. The recent incidents with Anthrax in Florida also
indicate that corporate America will be affected in new ways. Although, it is
too early to know whether the anthrax cases resulted from foreign terrorists
(probably unlikely since it was so limited in scope) or a disgruntled person
have a personal agenda of revenge, corporations must adopt policies that reduce
the risk to both the employees and the corporate infrastructure. The potential
for copycat crimes is quite high and steps must be taken to calm and educate
employees.
Integrated poultry operations must be doubly vigilant in these
difficult times since they represent not only corporate America, but are also
ripe targets for assault by radical vegetarian and animal rights groups. If
there are any lessons learned from the tragedies of the last several months, one
that must be taken seriously is that violence cannot be legislated away nor can
the government always be depended upon to keep the bad guys at bag. Corporate
America was at ground zero in New York and will continue to be so. Each and
every citizen, each and every integrated poultry operation is part of the fight.
Each must do their part for all to remain free.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis
and can occur in one of three forms (inhalation, cutaneous or intestinal),
depending upon the means by which an individual is infected. Of the three forms,
inhalation anthrax is by far the most serious and the most likely to end in
death. The anthrax case in Florida is an example of the inhalation form of the
disease and was most likely caused by the inhalation of anthrax spores
encountered in the workplace. Spores are a highly resistant form of the
bacterium that occurs when the organism is deprived of the nutrients or moisture
necessary for growth. Once present in the environment, spores can remain viable
(capable of causing infection) for decades to centuries. The risk to an
individual exposed depends upon many factors including the virulence of the
particular isolate, the dosage taken in by the individual (number of spores) and
the period of delay before treatment is begun. Once exposed, it is imperative to
immediately begin antibiotic treatment.
How would a person with anthrax appear?
If there was no recognition that exposure had occurred there
would be little indication of a problem, since symptoms generally do not occur
for seven days. People what have the intestinal form of the disease, which
occurs from the ingestion of contaminated meat, would most likely appear to have
the flu. Symptoms would include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and fever. As
the disease progress, severe abdominal pain would be followed by the vomiting of
blood and severe diarrhea. Individuals with the respiratory form of the disease
would initially appear to have a cold. Over several days the symptoms would
become increasingly severe resulting in progressively more difficulty in
breathing and rapid development of shock.
Can I catch anthrax from someone who has the disease?
Although, anthrax is an infectious disease (caused by an
invading pathogen), it is not a contagious disease, meaning it is unlikely that
someone else could develop the disease from exposure to a person that has the
disease. Multiple cases of the disease occurring simultaneously in a given area
generally indicate the likelihood of a common source of infection.
How is anthrax treated if there is an exposure?
There are several antibiotics that are presently available for
treating the disease. The drugs of choice include penicillin, doxycycline and
fluoroquinolones. Although, effective in preventing the disease, it should again
be reiterated that immediate treatment is imperative for increasing the
likelihood of a successful outcome to treatment.
Are there any vaccinations available for anthrax?
Vaccination, although available in the United States is
currently limited to military personnel and those civilian employees of the
defense department likely to be exposed to the pathogens. Vaccination is not
available to civilians and there is no indication of this changing, since the
program involves a series of injections followed by yearly boosters.
How do I prevent catching anthrax?
All prevention programs begin with understanding the risk. Risk
is analogous to the probability of something deleterious occurring, which in
turn is a function of numerous factors, including among others, motivation of
the perpetrator, means and access to potential victims. Although upon
reflection, the events of September 11 might seem to negate the wisdom of
optimism, the bottom line that the probability of any individual actually
falling victim to any terrorist act, including an anthrax attack is still very
minimal. America is still quite safe. This doesn’t mean the risk should be
ignored, but what it does mean is that the risk should be kept in perspective
and lives should not dramatically changed due to worries over impending doom. If
we fall prey to fear, the terrorist have triumphed. In training, we better the
odds to deny that triumph and better equip ourselves, should an emergency occur.
The better trained the employee, the more likely the successful outcome of the
objective to bring all of our lives back to normal.
In trying to prevent an attack, what should I look for?
Over the last several years there have been numerous incidents
in which anthrax was allegedly involved. Luckily, until October, 2001 all turned
out to be hoaxes. The majority of these cases involved the receipt of either
packages or envelopes in the mail. Frequently, there would be a powder (usually
talcum or starch) accompanying some type of note that announced exposure to
anthrax. Notes often taunted the recipient, stating that seeking medical help
was pointless. It is not yet clear how the Florida anthrax case transpired, but
the rumors at press time indicated, that it too involved the receipt of some
type of mysterious envelope.
From a security standpoint, all employees should always be on
the lookout for the unusual, such as receipt of a package never ordered, the
envelope with no return address, the car that is parked where it shouldn’t be.
These are obvious things that any employee can spot with minimal of training.
Most will be nothing. It is however, always better to err on the side of
caution, rather than to fall prey to boldness. If there are any questions,
company security personnel or the Police should be contacted immediately.
What do I do if I receive a strange envelope or package?
The most important first response to any unusual incident is to
not panic. Secondly, don’t assume the package or envelope is either innocent
or a hoax. The old adage, “When handling a gun, always assume it is loaded”
is very appropriate here. Most likely, envelopes and packages have gone through
several individuals (post office, mail room personnel, etc.) prior to arrival.
Before opening the package or envelope, contact these people to determine if the
original source of the package can be determined. Was it dropped off or did it
arrive in the mail? Were there labels that may have fallen off? If so, what do
they say? If markings are visible and there is no explanation for delivery, the
sender should be contacted. At this point, a decision has to be made. Will the
box or envelope be opened or should law enforcement authorities be contacted?
Many companies have answered the question by adopting the policy of throwing
away any letters that do not have a return address. If there are trained
security professional employed by the company, they should be contacted
immediately, so that they can better assess the situation. If not, again it is
best to err on the side of caution. Law enforcement officials are both trained
and equipped to determine the seriousness of the situation. If it is a false
alarm, it can just be chalked up as an opportunity for sharpening the skills of
the responders. It it is however, a real threat or even a hoax, local law
enforcement will contact the FBI. In either case, it is a violation of federal
law.
What do I do if I open an envelope and it contains a
threatening letter or some kind of powder?
Immediately and carefully put down the envelope or package. Do
not pick it up again or let anyone else handle it. Warn everyone in the area to
evacuate quickly, but with out panic. Tell them to warn other personnel on the
floor and immediately contact company security personnel. If no security
personnel are available, the most senior supervisor available should be
notified. They should be instructed to contact law enforcement personnel. If no
supervisor is available, delegate someone who is exiting to immediately contact
the Police. Proceed calmly to the nearest restroom or sink and thoroughly wash
your hands and arms. Stay where you are, but do not go back into the room
containing the letter. This is important to prevent contamination to other parts
of the building or other personnel, should the threat have been real. When the
Police arrive, explain your possible exposure. Plastic bags may be placed around
your hands. This is done for both determining your exposure as well as
containing any contamination or residue evidence that may still be present.
Alternatively, Fire Department personnel, who are also likely to respond, may
set up a decontamination shower for you. In either case you will then be
transported immediately by ambulance or in a Police vehicle to the nearest
hospital. Under no circumstances should you use your own vehicle for
transportation. Let the emergency personnel come to you.
What will happen at the hospital?
Things will move very rapidly. Again the most important response
is to remain calm. Upon arrival, there will be no immediate answer as to whether
you have actually been exposed. Unfortunately, that will probably not be
answered for one or two days. Procedures that are performed at the hospital will
be done with intention of limiting further exposure. First, your face will most
likely be washed and your nasal cavity swabbed. A mask will likely be placed
over your mouth and nose to prevent any further inhalation of spores, should
they still be present in your hair or on your body. If plastic bags were placed
your hands they will be removed and placed in an evidence bag. Your hands and
arms will then be swabbed and this sample along with the nasal swab will be used
for culturing to determine if you have indeed been exposed. You will then be
assisted in removing your clothes, most probably by have them cut off. These too
will be swabbed and eventually used for evidence. The next step will likely be a
very thorough shower with lots of water and disinfectant soap. Medication will
be administered and you will probably be admitted into the hospital, until which
time it can be definitively be determined whether an exposure actually occurred.
If I have been exposed, what will happen?
Exposure will be determined by culturing as well as analysis of
the crime scene therefore, it will take 1-2 days depending on the techniques
used. In the meantime you will remain in the hospital and continue to receive
medication. The probability of survival is good, particularly considering that
intervention occurred so early. If actually exposed, you may be kept in the
hospital a week or more, depending upon your response to the medication. In the
meantime, a criminal investigation will be initiated and the perpetrator sought.
The work area containing the original envelope and package will be
decontaminated if necessary.
What can companies do to avoid this ever happening?
Again, much depends on the diligence of the employees. Security
should always be an issue. In small companies where everyone knows each other,
strangers have little opportunity to enter unnoticed. In larger companies,
employees should be recognizable by some form of identification that should be
prominently displayed. Employees should be trained to challenge individuals
lacking proper identification. Many companies have security personnel. All
should be required to receive both basic and advanced training in security
operations. This is no longer a job for amateurs and every corporation should
rapidly move beyond the “rent a cop” mentality and recognize the need for
highly trained professionals. Security camera systems have become affordable to
even the smallest operations and should be used where appropriate. Much guidance
for setting up security can be obtained from state and local authorities, as
well as the FBI.
The world has changed. Each of us will be affected by this
change, but our personal professional lives need not suffer. We can overcome
this difficulty if we remember to do two things, remain calm and remain
vigilant.
For more information: Dr. Robert A. Norton, Poultry Microbiology
and Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Poultry Sciences, Auburn University,
Auburn, AL 36849-5416. He can also be reached by phone at: (334) 844-2604 or by
email rnorton@acesag.auburn.edu
Dr. Norton is an Associate Professor at Auburn University and
specialized in poultry health and agricultural biosecurity issues.
WATT Poultry e-Digest Volume 1, Number 10 (October, 2001)
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Poultry e-Digest by R.A. Norton
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