Anthrax Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Infectious Diseases (CDC OID). Published: 3/21/2018.
This two-page fact sheet provides basic information on anthrax, the anthrax vaccine, who should get the vaccine, and the risks of the vaccine.
(PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - March 21, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Safety blunders expose lab staff to potentially lethal diseases in UK
Exclusive: breaches investigated involve dengue virus, anthrax and other deadly pathogensSafety breaches at UK labs that handle harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi have spread infections to staff and exposed others to potentially lethal diseases, the Guardian has learned.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has investigated a series of mistakes over the past two years that led to scientists falling ill at specialist labs run by hospitals, private companies, and even Public Health England (PHE), the government agency which exists to protect and improve the nation ’s health and wellbeing.Continue reading... (Source: Guard...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - February 10, 2018 Category: Science Authors: Ian Sample Science editor Tags: Infectious diseases Science Microbiology Medical research Source Type: news
You Asked: Is It Bad for You to Read the News Constantly?
A recent survey from the American Psychological Association found that, for many Americans, “news consumption has a downside.”
More than half of Americans say the news causes them stress, and many report feeling anxiety, fatigue or sleep loss as a result, the survey shows. Yet one in 10 adults checks the news every hour, and fully 20% of Americans report “constantly” monitoring their social media feeds—which often exposes them to the latest news headlines, whether they like it or not.
Of course, many people feel it’s important to stay informed. And it’s understandable that news you...
Source: TIME: Health - January 31, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Markham Heid Tags: Uncategorized healthytime Mental Health/Psychology Research Source Type: news
Center for Domestic Preparedness to Resume Live-Agent Training
ANNISTON, Ala. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) announced today that the Center will resume using nerve agents and biologicals in some of its hazardous materials training courses on Jan. 11.
In late 2016, the CDP suspended the use of the nerve agents GB and VX, and biologicals ricin and anthrax after it was discovered the Center’s Chemical, Ordnance, Biological, and Radiological training facility (COBRATF) had received, via third party vendor, and had been using a more toxic version of ricin in training than what CDP had ordered.
Since then, the CDP has co...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - January 6, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Center for Domestic Preparedness Tags: Training Industry News Source Type: news
Protocol for Detection of Bacillus Anthracis in Environmental Samples During the Remediation Phase of an Anthrax Event: Second Edition
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center. 07/2017 This 104-page document is a second edition of the first ever detailed and step-by-step protocol published by EPA in 2012. This protocol includes three analytical methods for the detection of B. anthracis spores in various environmental samples (e.g., aerosols, particulates, and drinking water). The protocol has been specifically developed for the analysis of environmental samples during an incident involving contamination from B. anthracis spores. (PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disa...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - December 14, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Decontamination Options for Sensitive Equipment in Critical Infrastructure Following a Bacillus Anthracis Incident
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center. 12/2017 This seven-page technical brief provides decision-makers with practical information on decontamination methods that could be used to restore critical infrastructure during a response to a release of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. It reviews fumigation technologies that have been shown to decontaminate sensitive equipment contaminated with B. anthracis or surrogate spores, and provides an overview of the on- and off-site decontamination processes. (PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Res...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - December 8, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Evaluation of Commercially-Available Equipment for the Decontamination of Bacillus Anthracis Spores in an Urban Subway System
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center. 08/2017 This 71-page report is part of an effort to improve the capability for transit systems to quickly and efficiently recover from a biological contamination incident by refining existing methods, tools, and protocols for characterization, cleanup, and clearance of contamination in physical structures (tunnels, stations) and rolling stock (subway trains). It summarizes a survey of commercially-available or fielded equipment that resulted in three pieces of identified equipment that could be used or rapi...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - December 8, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Processing Protocol for Soil Samples Potentially Contaminated With Bacillus Anthracis Spores
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center. 02/2017 This 28-page protocol describes the processing steps for 45g and 9g soil samples potentially contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores. The protocol is designed to separate and concentrate the spores from bulk soil down to a pellet that can be used for further analysis. Soil extraction solution and mechanical shaking are used to disrupt soil particle aggregates and to aid in the separation of spores from soil particles. (PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - December 8, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Overview of FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Draft Guidance on Extending Expiration Dates of Doxycycline Tablets and Capsules in Strategic Stockpiles
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 09/20/2017 This 57-minute webinar provides stakeholders an overview of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ' s April 2017 draft guidance for government stakeholders on laboratory testing that can be conducted to extend the expiration dating of their stockpiled doxycycline tablets and capsules for anthrax emergency preparedness. It describes the doxycycline products to which the draft guidance applies, and the recommended protocol for testing. (Video or Multimedia) Site requires free registration. (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - November 16, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
U.S. Needs to Improve Oversight of Labs Handling Dangerous Pathogens - Report U.S. Needs to Improve Oversight of Labs Handling Dangerous Pathogens - Report
A year-long audit of the program overseeing U.S. labs that handle lethal pathogens such as Ebola and anthrax found overworked safety inspectors, an absence of independent review and weak biosafety protections that could expose lab workers and the public to harm, a government report will say on October 31.Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Pathology Headlines)
Source: Medscape Pathology Headlines - November 1, 2017 Category: Pathology Tags: Infectious Diseases News Source Type: news
U.S. Labs Handling Lethal Pathogens Had Shocking Lapses In Security
Ricin, anthrax and smallpox were all improperly handled or stored. (Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post)
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - October 31, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Namibia:Shifeta Tours Bwabwata As 131 Hippo Carcases Are Disposed
[New Era] Bwabwata -Environment minister, Pohamba Shifeta, last week visited the anthrax-affected areas in the Bwabwata National Park in Kavango East Region to assess the situation on the ground. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - October 31, 2017 Category: African Health Source Type: news
Exclusive: U.S. needs to improve oversight of labs handling dangerous pathogens - report
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A year-long audit of the program overseeing U.S. labs that handle lethal pathogens such as Ebola and anthrax found overworked safety inspectors, an absence of independent review and weak biosafety protections that could expose lab workers and the public to harm, a government report will say on Tuesday. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - October 31, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news
Namibia:724 People Get Anthrax Treatment
[Namibian] AT least 724 people are receiving treatment against the anthrax which killed 117 hippos and seven buffaloes two weeks ago in the Kavango East region. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - October 27, 2017 Category: African Health Source Type: news
Namibia:724 People Get Preventative Anthrax Treatment
[New Era] Seven hundred and twenty four people are receiving prophylaxis treatment against the anthrax, which killed 117 hippos and seven buffaloes two weeks ago in Kavango East Region. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - October 25, 2017 Category: African Health Source Type: news
