By Gilbert Ross, M.D.
Posted: Wednesday, October 17, 2001

LETTER
Publication Date: October 17, 2001

To the Editor:

Re "Responding to Anthrax Attacks" (editorial, Oct. 16):

Given the public concern over the recent anthrax cases and scares, I am disconcerted by the lack of information coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which should be in the forefront of such communication. Sharing what it knows is a large part of preventing irrational responses, like unwise self-medicating.

Among other things, doctors and the public need to know to which antibiotics the strains of anthrax that have been detected are sensitive. The natural types are sensitive to penicillin and tetracycline, which are widely available, while some of the "weaponized" varieties might be resistant. Even this simple information has not been forthcoming, and there is no reason to withhold it if it is available.

Source Notes:  
The New York Times