Safe travel is important to all of us particularly at this time of year when many of us are on the move to visit family and friends. This article is not intended to create anxiety over your travel plans but to give you information whether there are concerns or warnings during your trip
Bioterrorism has been a concern for the last several decades. Do you remember in 2001 the incident where mail handlers were exposed to a white powder while handling mail? The powder contained spores of anthrax. The concerns over biologic agents which can be used in a bioterrorism attach are many and varied but the three that are watched most often are anthrax, plague and tularemia.
Anthrax mortality depends a great deal on the form of the disease and whether treatment is given. The deadliest form of anthrax is inhalational with an untreated mortality of 85-90%. The skin and GI tract may also be subject to infection and untreated, these are associated with a 20-60% mortality.
Plague is cause by a specific bacterium. Historically, it caused the death of 30-60% of Europe’s population the Black Death epidemic (1347-1351). It is still present today in the western and southwestern US.
Last, is tularemia and again is caused by a specific bacterium. It is a pulmonary disease and when treated appropriately has a 90% survival rate. However, untreated mortality can be as high as 35%.
If you are warned about any of these biologic agents take extreme precautions.
