DATE: November
1, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Judith Govatos, Executive Director
1925 Lovering Avenue
Wilmington, Delaware 19806
(302) 656-1629
Bioterrorism: Be Well Informed, Not
Misinformed
With the heightened concern about
bioterrorism and Anthrax, it is important to be well informed, not misinformed.
The Delaware Academy of Medicine, the state’s largest and oldest health library
is committed to providing the public with clear, accurate health information.
Anthrax
Facts
- Anthrax
is caused by the bacterium Bacillus
anthracis. It is a disease of sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and swine.
Human infection, though rare, is an occupational disease of farm workers,
veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers.
- Anthrax is naturally present in soil,
and small disease outbreaks occur regularly in North American wild animals
and livestock
- The
disease has a skin form (cutaneous
anthrax). In the cutaneous form, the infection is transmitted through
a break in the skin.
- The
disease has a pulmonary form (inhalation
anthrax). In the pulmonary form, infection occurs by breathing in
anthrax spores.
- The
disease has an ingestive form (gastrointestinal anthrax). In the gastrointestinal form, infection
is caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or liquids.
- Of
the three ways you can get Anthrax (skin, inhalation, ingestion),
breathing anthrax spores is the least
likely way to get sick from Anthrax.
- Anthrax
is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person.
More
Information at www.dnelamed.org
- Go
to our website for a list of credible health websites about anthrax and
bioterrorism
- These
sites have been selected and reviewed by medical librarians
The
Delaware Academy of Medicine is your one-stop-shop for health information
with 8000 books, 250 journals, and
comprehensive online access, all provided by friendly expert medical
librarians. You can borrow books and videos from our Consumer Health Library
and search databases, written in plain English for the general public.
Finding Health Information
is Easy & Free
Four Easy Options
- Call us at 571-1101 in
New Castle County or 1-800-287-0717.
- Fax us your request at
302-656-0470.
- Email your request by
clicking Ask a Research Librarian
at www.delamed.org.
- Visit us at 1925 Lovering Avenue, Wilmington, DE., weekdays from
8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
