Bioterrorism alleging use of anthrax and interim guidelines for management--United States, 1998

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1999 Feb 5;48(4):69-74.

Abstract

From October 30 through December 23, 1998, CDC received reports of a series of bioterroristic threats of anthrax exposure. Letters alleged to contain anthrax were sent to health clinics on October 30, 1998, in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. During December 17-23 in California, a letter alleged to contain anthrax was sent to a private business, and three telephone threats of anthrax contamination of ventilation systems were made to private and public buildings. All threats were hoaxes and are under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law enforcement officials. The public health implications of these threats were investigated to assist in developing national public health guidelines for responding to bioterrorism. This report summarizes the findings of these investigations and provides interim guidance for public health authorities on bioterrorism related to anthrax.

MeSH terms

  • Anthrax* / etiology
  • Anthrax* / prevention & control
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacillus anthracis*
  • Biological Warfare* / prevention & control
  • California
  • Disaster Planning* / standards
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Hazardous Substances*
  • Humans
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Public Health
  • Tennessee
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Violence* / prevention & control
  • Violence* / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Doxycycline