|
|
|
 |
| Emergency Medical Services and Trauma ● Health Alert Network ● Health Hotline ● Emergency Preparedness & Response |
  |
|
|
Where
can I get vaccine for protection against anthrax and smallpox? I have heard that antibiotics will provide protection against anthrax and smallpox. Where can I get these antibiotics to protect myself? I’ve heard that people living in Israel carry masks for protection against terrorism. Should I purchase a mask or respirator for protection against terrorism? What is being done for protection against biological and chemical terrorism? What can the public do? Where can I find more information about bioterrorism?
Q.
Where can I get vaccine for protection
against anthrax and smallpox? A. Anthrax vaccine currently is not recommended for the
public for protection against bioterrorism. It is limited to researchers, people who may be exposed to anthrax
spores in their occupations and the military. Smallpox vaccine is limited to researchers who may be working with smallpox-like viruses. Laboratories in Russia and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta contain the only known sources of smallpox virus in the world. Smallpox vaccine currently is not recommended for the public for protection against bioterrorism. Q. I have heard that
antibiotics will provide protection against anthrax and smallpox. Where
can I get these antibiotics to protect myself? A. Antibiotics are not effective against
viruses. Since a virus causes smallpox, antibiotics cannot provide
protection against smallpox. If bacteria such as anthrax were used by
bioterrorists, antibiotics would be prescribed for up to 60 days for
people who were exposed. Antibiotics are not recommended to be taken for protection against
bioterrorism. All medications, including antibiotics, can
have side effects. Taking antibiotics without a valid medical reason
increases the risk of side effects and also may kill beneficial
bacteria. Furthermore, taking antibiotics without a valid medical reason
may cause bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic. This may lead
to the antibiotic not being effective when it is necessary. Q. I’ve heard that people
living in Israel carry masks for protection against
terrorism. Should I purchase a mask or respirator for protection against
terrorism? A. It is likely that a
terrorist would release a biological or chemical agent without warning.
Therefore, a person would be exposed to the agent before the mask would
provide any protective benefit. Masks or respirators also make breathing
more difficult. Therefore, wearing a mask or respirator increases the
possibility that a person might experience respiratory problems as a
result of wearing the mask. Proper use of a mask or respirator also
requires fit testing and maintenance. An improperly fitted mask actually
may increase the breathing in of hazardous substances. Q. What
is being done for protection against biological and chemical terrorism? Q. What can the public
do? Q. Where can I find more information
about bioterrorism?
|
|
Emergency Preparedness & Response Section |
Copyright © 2005 North Dakota Department of Health |