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Last Updated: Oct 6, 2008 - 12:00:27 PM |
SATURDAY MARCH 1, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The Defense Department was sued by some of the department's employees for its compulsory anthrax vaccinations for certain troops, but U.S. District Judge Rosemary M Collyer ruled to dismiss the case, Washington Post reported.
The lawsuit argues that military personnel should not be forced to take the vaccine because no scientific evidence indicates that it's effective for humans, Mark Zaid, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs was cited as saying.
The suit was filed in hopes that the court will block the Pentagon from vaccinating the plaintiffs and rule that the anthrax vaccine was improperly approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Zaid argued that the FDA drew conclusions about the effectiveness of the anthrax vaccine in humans based on old animal studies. But Cynthia O. Smith, a Defense Department spokeswoman was cited as saying that the vaccine is safe and effective and the military personnel must be inoculated with the vaccine.
This is not the first lawsuit filed against the Pentagon. A similar lawsuit filed earlier convinced a federal judge to halt mandatory vaccinations in Oct. 2004. The judge believed that an FDA review of the anthrax vaccine was insufficient. Because of the ruling, the vaccine was then administered on a voluntary basis.
In 2005, the FDA reviewed the vaccine again leading to a conclusion based on which the Pentagon said in Oct 2006 that it would resume the mandatory vaccination program for more than 200,000 troops.
The six employees who filed the failed lawsuit were cited as saying yesterday that they would appeal the ruling.
Common questions and answers about anthrax cited from CDC.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.
How common is anthrax and who can get it?
Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. These include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with B. anthracis (industrial anthrax). Anthrax in wild livestock has occurred in the United States.
How is anthrax transmitted?
Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within 7 days.
Cutaneous: Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.
Where is anthrax usually found?
Anthrax can be found globally. It is more common in developing countries or countries without veterinary public health programs. Certain regions of the world (South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East) report more anthrax in animals than others.
Can anthrax be spread from person-to-person?
Anthrax is not known to spread from one person to another person. Communicability is not a concern in managing or visiting with patients with inhalation anthrax.
Is there a way to prevent infection?
In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds are low, humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products and avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. Also, an anthrax vaccine has been licensed for use in humans. The vaccine is reported to be 93% effective in protecting against anthrax.
What is the anthrax vaccine?
The anthrax vaccine is manufactured and distributed by BioPort, Corporation, Lansing, Michigan. The vaccine is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it contains no dead or live bacteria in the preparation. The final product contains no more than 2.4 mg of aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant. Anthrax vaccines intended for animals should not be used in humans.
Who should get vaccinated against anthrax?
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended anthrax vaccination for the following groups:
bulleted list item, level 1 Persons who work directly with the organism in the laboratory
bulleted list item, level 1 Persons who work with imported animal hides or furs in areas where standards are insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax spores.
bulleted list item, level 1 Persons who handle potentially infected animal products in high-incidence areas. (Incidence is low in the United States, but veterinarians who travel to work in other countries where incidence is higher should consider being vaccinated.)
bulleted list item, level 1 Military personnel deployed to areas with high risk for exposure to the organism (as when it is used as a biological warfare weapon).
The anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's Office can be reached at 1-877-GETVACC (1-877-438-8222). http://www.anthrax.osd.mil
Pregnant women should be vaccinated only if absolutely necessary.
What is the protocol for anthrax vaccination?
The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given 2 weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are recommended thereafter.
Are there adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine?
Mild local reactions occur in 30% of recipients and consist of slight tenderness and redness at the injection site. Severe local reactions are infrequent and consist of extensive swelling of the forearm in addition to the local reaction. Systemic reactions occur in fewer than 0.2% of recipients.
How is anthrax diagnosed?
Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of persons with suspected cases.
Is there a treatment for anthrax?
Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Where can I get more information about the recent Department of Defense decision to require men and women in the Armed Services to be vaccinated against anthrax?
The Department of Defense recommends that servicemen and women contact their chain of command on questions about the vaccine and its distribution. The anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's Office can be reached at 1-877-GETVACC (1-877-438-8222). http://www.anthrax.osd.mil
© 2004-2008 by foodconsumer.org unless otherwise specified
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