Fear of anthrax could speed its spread

By Sharon Salyer

Herald Writer

EVERETT — It was an unusual scene: Amid the elegant surroundings of the Everett Golf and Country Club, an Army doctor Friday described to area health care workers how a single gram of anthrax weighing less than a paper clip could potentially kill hundreds.

Major Andrew Wiesen, chief of epidemiology and disease control at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, said that even though the number of deaths so far caused by the anthrax exposures is relatively small, "the panic created by that is very effective."

Wiesen spoke to about 250 doctors, nurses and other health care professionals at the Everett Golf and Country Club Friday on the topic of anthrax and smallpox, part of an educational seminar on bioterrorism sponsored by Providence Everett Medical Center.

"We’ve heard many stories of people being concerned," Wiesen said. "It’s a learning curve for everybody on how to deal with this."

So far, 10 cases of the inhaled form of anthrax have been diagnosed nationally, resulting in four deaths. Another seven cases of the skin form of anthrax have been discovered. No cases of anthrax have been documented in Washington state.

Following the speech, Snohomish County health care workers said they have had questions from patients about both anthrax and smallpox.

"We’re seeing a few patients worried that they were exposed," said Dr. Tom Robbie, who has worked at Providence Everett Medical Center’s emergency room for 20 years. "But we haven’t seen a patient come in with anything other than fear," he said.

Pat Slater, an internal medicine nurse at Everett Clinic, said she has received phone calls from adults with questions about the smallpox vaccine. Although there are government supplies of the vaccine, none is now available to the public.

Susan Oldenkamp-Dazey, a dermatologist, said she sometimes prescribes the antibiotic Cipro, which has gained national attention for battling anthrax infections, for patients with skin conditions.

Following one such prescription, "when we went to refill it, we had to call several pharmacies to get it," she said.

Dr. Tony Roon, who oversees trauma services at Providence Everett Medical Center, said "there’s an index of suspicion" among the public following the recent anthrax cases.

This could grow worse during flu season, he acknowledged, since the early symptoms of anthrax — fever, cough and headache — can closely mimic the flu.

The runny noses that accompany the flu often are a telltale sign it is not anthrax.

At Providence Everett Medical Center, all hospital workers are being advised to get flu shots, he added.

Dr. M. Ward Hinds, who heads the Snohomish Health District, said that’s a good step for the general public to follow. Those who have had the shot shouldn’t assume that if they get flulike symptoms they have been exposed to anthrax, he said.

The flu shot is about 80 percent effective, and there are a number of other viruses that cause flulike symptoms.

"So it’s much more likely you have one of those," Hinds said.

You can call Herald Writer Sharon Salyer at 425-339-3486

or send e-mail to salyer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.