Americans should remain calm in the face of the anthrax exposures reported in Florida, New York, Washington, and other areas, advised the American Council on Science and Health(ACSH), a public-health group directed by more than 350 leading scientists and physicians.
"This is not to say that we should let our vigilance lapse. Indeed, all we should maintain a heightened sense of awareness to possible biological threats," said Gilbert Ross, M.D., ACSH's medical director.
"But the danger of bioterrorism should not be blown out of proportion. The preparedeness exhibited by the public health authorities should serve to reassure the public that all responsible actions are being taken to protect our health. These points should be borne in mind:
- The actual risk of falling ill from a bioterrorist attack is extremely small
- Simple common-sense methods, such as caution in opening mail of unknown origin, is sufficient for the average American
- Real health threats, such as from smoking, not wearing seatbelts and bike helmets, and unwise dietary habits, continue to present more of a public-health problem than intentional infections
- More people have succumbed to influenza and auto accidents than have even been exposed to anthrax in the last two weeks
- The hoarding, and especially the taking, of antibiotics (such as Cipro) prior to any actual exposure to anthrax, is exactly the wrong thing to do. This behavior will only lead to the development of disease-resistant strains of a wide variety of germs, and will do no good to the person trying to protect themselves from falling ill.
Anthrax is a disease which is rare in humans, especially in the developed world. Anthrax cannot be transmitted from person-to-person.
Elizabeth Whelan, Sc.D., M.P.H., the president of ACSH, advised the public to follow directives issued by the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta, which, along with the FBI, is actively investigating the source, or sources, of the anthrax. Noting the scattered nature of the exposures, Dr. Whelan urged Americans "to remain calm and not assume that danger lurks from terrorists using 'germ warfare.' Such panic is not in anyone's interests, and will actually interfere with public health efforts to prepare for all eventualities."