Bernards Township Release

Health Alert

The World Trade Center Tragedy has raised significant concerns among the public and medical community about the threat of bioterrorism.  The Bernards Township health Department is working closely with the State Department of Health and Senior Services to provide residents with the most accurate and timely information.

Important bioterrorism resources for up-to-the minute information:

NJDHSS:         http://www.state.nj.us/health/lh/lines/bioman.htm

CDC:               http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

The following is an official Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Health Update Distributed via Health Alert Network: CDC is working closely with other federal agencies and involved state and local partners in providing public health assistance where needed.  CDC is fully aware of the demands each health department is experiencing as the public looks for health guidance and reassurance.

In particular, CDC is aware that health departments and health professionals in communities are receiving questions from the public about smallpox vaccine, antibiotics to prevent anthrax, and measures to take to prepare for emergencies.  Here are some of the issues we are hearing from the public and how we are addressing their concerns.

Smallpox.  Vaccination is not recommended and, as you know, the vaccine is not available to health providers or the public.  In the absence of a confirmed case of smallpox anywhere in the world, there is no need to be vaccinated against smallpox.  There also can be severe side effects to the smallpox vaccine, which is another reason we do not recommend vaccination.

In the event of an outbreak, the CDC has clear guidelines to swiftly provide vaccine to people exposed to this disease.  The vaccine is securely stored for use in the case of an outbreak.  In addition, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson recently announced plans to accelerate production of a new smallpox vaccine. 

Anthrax:  Our course of action for preventing anthrax after exposure in the civilian population would be with antibiotics.  Vaccination is not recommended, and the vaccine is not available to health care providers or the general public.  We do not recommend that physicians prescribe antibiotics for anthrax at this time.  We currently have enough antibiotics to prevent the disease in 2 million persons exposed to anthrax, therefore we could rapidly get preventive medicine to those who may be affected by this disease, which cannot be transmitted between people.

Preparedness:  We continue to hear stories of the public buying gas masks and hoarding medicine in anticipation of a possible bioterrorist or chemical attack.  We do not recommend that the public do either.  As Secretary Thompson said recently, people should not be scared into thinking they need a gas mask.  In the event of a public health emergency, local and state health departments will inform the public about the actions individuals need to take.