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  • Photos of Cutaneous Anthrax:
    This posting contains a series of photographs showing the evolution of a cutaneous anthrax lesion. The pictures were taken by Dr. Philip Brachman in the 1950s, and depict the same cutaneous anthrax lesion at days 4, 5, 7, and 10. The file name indicates the day of the lesions. Dr. Brachman has provided these photographs for dissemination to Epi-X users; and they stated the images may be shared with other public health officials and health care providers. Please note that each of the files are in .jpg format. The files can be opened with Microsoft Internet Explorer and many other commercial image viewers.
    [Day 4] [Day 5] [Day 7] [Day 10]
  • AMA launches online bioterrorism educational series for physicians
    To help America's practicing physicians and front-line medical professionals prepare to confront the crisis of terrorism, the AMA recently launched a 10-part series of Web-based educational programs featuring some of the nation's leading experts on the clinical, psycho-social, and disaster preparedness issues raised by acts of terrorism.

  • Disaster Preparedness and Medical Response
    Taking the lead

    The American Medical Association (AMA) is acting on bioterrorism across a wide spectrum in response to the attacks on 9/11/01 and the subsequent bioterrorism events.

    In addition to working on preparedness with agencies and associations in both the public and private sector, the AMA has created this Web site for physicians and the general public. Visit often to keep updated on disaster preparedness and medical response.

  • Information about the Biological, Chemical, and Radiation Induced Illness guidelines
    Contains Pocket Guides and links to:
    NBC-MED
    Antrax as a Biological Weapon
    Smallpox as a Biological Weapon
    Plague as a Biological Weapon
    Botulinum as a Biological Weapon
    Tularemia as a Biological Weapon
    Mail Handling Guidelines
    Centers for Disease Control - Public Health Preparedness and Response
    VA Library Network - Biological Warfare/Bioterrorism Resources (intranet only)
    Current Concepts: Recognition and Management of Anthrax -- An Update Morton N. Swartz (NEJM)

  • CDC Anthrax Updates
    Nov 16
    Nov 15

  • CDC MMWR weekly:
    Update: Investigation of Bioterrorism-Related Anthrax 2001

  • JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association:
    Death Due to Bioterrorism-Related Inhalation Anthrax
    Clinical Presentation of Inhalation Anthrax Following Bioterrorism Exposure
    Bioterrorism on the Homefront: A New Challenge for American Medicine

  • MSNBC News:
    Woman, 94, dies of anthrax infection

  • USPS - United States Postal Service notes:
    Nov 15, 01

  • The CDC has released the sensitivities of the Bacillus anthracis isolates from the recent intentional release. These can be found at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/DocumentsApp/Anthrax/10222001Advisory/10222001Advisory.asp. In case the link is slow, the summary is attached below.
    · The current B. anthracis strains associated with the intentional exposures are susceptible to ciprofloxacin and doxycycline, the two drugs approved for post-exposure prophylaxis to B. anthracis and recommended as part of initial therapy of inhalational or cutaneous anthrax.
    The current strains also are susceptible to chloramphenicol, clindamycin, rifampin, vancomycin, and clarithromycin, but limited or no data exists regarding the use of these agents in the treatment or prophylaxis of B. anthracis infections.
    Cephalosporins should not be used for post-exposure prophylaxis or treatment of B. anthracis infections. · The likelihood of a beta-lactamase induction event that would increase penicillin MICs is significantly higher in infections where high concentrations of organisms are present. Thus, treatment of known B. anthracis infections with a penicillin type drug alone (i.e., penicillin G, ampicillin, etc.) in the setting where high concentrations of organisms are present is a concern.
    The likelihood of a beta-lactamase induction event that would increase penicillin MICs is lower when only small numbers of vegetative cells are present, such as during post exposure prophylaxis.
    Thus, amoxicillin or penicillin VK may be an option for post-exposure prophylaxis where ciprofloxacin or doxycycline are contraindicated.
    Additional studies are in progress to assess the susceptibility of the penicillinase activity observed in these strains to beta-lactamase inhibitors.
    Clinical experience is limited, but combination therapy with two or more antimicrobials may be appropriate in patients with severe infection.
  • Investigation of Bioterrorism-Related Anthrax and Interim Guidelines for Clinical Evaluation of Persons with Possible Anthrax [click here]

  • Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program [click here]

  • As a public service to the healthcare provider community, CE Medicus has launched The Bioterrorism CME Resource Center. The Bioterrorism CME Resource Center currently contains two informative programs. Additional programs will be added from leading providers in the near future.
    The first activity, titled "Emerging Infections and Potential Bioterrorist Agents," is offered in cooperation with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and offers up to 1 hour in category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award.
    The second activity, titled "Anthrax: What Every Clinician Should Know," includes an archived webcast from a live program initially broadcast by the Centers for Disease Control and is provided in cooperation with the University of North Carolina, School of Public Health. This activity offers up to 1.5 hours in category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award, through UAB.
    These activities are offered free of charge.
    Registered CEMedicus members can access the Bioterrorism CME Resource Center by logging in at http://www.cemedicus.com (select your site of registration when logging in) or at http://www.merckmedicus.com (sign in and then click "Earn CME Credit").

  • CDC broadcast on 16 Nov entitled CDC Responds: Bioterrorism and the Infection Control Community. Simply click on any of the green sentences beneath the words PowerPoint from Webcast. [Click Here]

  • This link is to the PowerPoint presentation from the CDC broadcast on 9 Nov--CDC Responds: Coping with Bioterrorism --The Role of the Laboratorian. [Click Here]

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