Postal workers advised on anthrax
With the domination of U.S. television news by the growing threat of bio-terrorism and the apparent detection of anthrax spores at postal facilities outside the United States, it was only a matter of time until concerns were raised in Belize. And while no one here is about to panic, authorities are not oblivious to the potential problem. Director of Health Services Errol Vanzie today gave us some background on anthrax and how we can deal with it.
Errol Vanzie, Director of Health Services
“It is present at low incidence in different countries, more so in the animal population. From time to time, this is transmitted to humans, mainly the coetaneous type of anthrax. If we look hard enough in Belize, probably we’ll find it in the soil and among the bovine population, cattle, sheep and so forth. Indications from the Agriculture Department are that they have never found it in Belize. But what I’m trying to say is that even though anthrax exists in the environment, very seldom we hear about a case of anthrax. So the probability of transmission of anthrax is very low. When it is used a biological weapon, then the probability of transmission increases. We recently received guidelines for protection and handling of packages from the Caribbean Epidemiological Centre, CAREC, and we have shared that with the post office in Belize. That gives you protocols for the management of parcels and letters, envelops.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“If there’s a case of anthrax reported, do we have the drugs to treat it with, particularly Cipro?”
Errol Vanzie
“Cipro is not the only drug that can be used; we do have Cipro. We also have amoxicillin and penicillin. These are the three drugs of choice. After that, we could also use tetracycline. Cipro is very expensive and in the case of Belize, it wouldn’t be the drug of choice.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Because of its availability or it’s cost?”
Errol Vanzie
“It’s available, but mainly the cost.”
We are not sure exactly what actions CAREC is recommending for regional mail handlers, but viewers are reminded that if those people targeted in the United States are any indication, then government officials and media personalities ought to take extra care when opening that letter from the States.
