Threat of bioterror ‘is real’

Herald staff and news services

WASHINGTON — The nation’s health secretary insisted to senators Wednesday that federal doctors are ready to combat a bioterrorist attack, even as he urged Americans to be on the lookout for mysterious symptoms and see a physician promptly if they have any.

"Be very vigilant about your activities and anything suspicious," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said. "Anything mysterious dealing with your body, get to a doctor … and ask if the doctor knows anything about bioterrorism."

Worried senators asked Congress to allocate $1.4 billion to improve the nation’s health system against bioterrorism — a sixfold increase.

"The threat is real. The overall probability is low … yet it’s increasing," said Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., who introduced the spending bill along with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

A surgeon, Frist warned that many of his fellow doctors wouldn’t recognize symptoms of anthrax or other bioterror agents in time to save sufferers or, for contagious diseases like smallpox, contain an outbreak. Thus, most of the money would be used to improve city, county and state preparedness.

Thompson acknowledged there are gaps, saying he has asked the Bush administration for $800 million, most to be sent to local and state public health systems.

Not only do front-line doctors and nurses need training, but regional health departments should be linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s early-warning computer system, which flags unusual clusters of illnesses around the country, he said. Thompson also wants at least one CDC-trained outbreak specialist stationed in every state; currently, 13 states lack them.

Despite those gaps, "people should not be scared into believing they need to buy gas masks. And people should not be frightened into hoarding medicine and food," Thompson emphasized.

On Sept. 11, the day of the recent U.S. terrorists attacks, physicians throughout Snohomish County were faxed information on bioterrorism agents and symptoms to look for as a precaution, said Dr. Tony Roon, president of the Snohomish County Medical Association, who oversees emergency planning at Providence Everett Medical Center.

Concern of bioterrorism issues isn’t new, but part of regular disaster planning, he said.

Health care workers from Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties regularly meet "so we can mount a coordinated effort in any disaster," Roon said.

But the recent attacks underscored the importance of disaster preparations.

"Our plan is not to rely on preparations we’ve made before, but work with Harborview Medical Center (in Seattle) and other hospitals in this area to repeat some of our educational processes and make sure that when our disaster planning occurs, it includes bioterrorism issues," Roon added.

Meanwhile, health secretary Thompson said 400 tons of medical supplies, including vaccines and antibiotics, are stockpiled at eight secret sites around the country and can be shipped within 12 hours anywhere they are needed, and that he hopes to purchase 100 more tons.

He outlined additional steps federal health agencies are taking:

  • Production of anthrax vaccine for the military, stalled because manufacturer Bioport Inc. has failed to meet Food and Drug Administration safety requirements, could resume within six weeks. Civilians do not need anthrax vaccination unless an attack were to occur, and none is available for them, Thompson said.

  • Some 15.4 million doses of smallpox vaccine are stockpiled, and 40 million more on order will arrive by late next year instead of in 2005.

  • Dr. D.A. Henderson of Johns Hopkins University, renowned for his role in wiping out smallpox in 1977, will head a new commission advising the government’s bioterrorism preparedness.

  • HHS will hold an annual training conference to teach local emergency workers how to identify and treat biowarfare agents.
    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.

    Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
    Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

    The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

    x
    Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

    The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

    The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

    The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

    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.

    Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
    Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

    The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

    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.

    The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
    Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

    The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

    Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

    The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

    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.