"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
- 2:03:34, May 14th 2013 - - Thanks for sharing the trip with us! ... [Read More]
- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
- 11:47:30, May 7th 2013 - EW - ramble.....ramble.....ramble..... ... [Read More]
- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
Case of inhalational anthrax
Tue, Aug 9th, 2011
Posted in Health & Wellness
Posted in Health & Wellness
Comments
Health officials investigate case of inhalational anthrax from suspected natural environmental exposure
Officials say case does not represent increased risk to general public
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate an apparent case of inhalational anthrax in an individual who officials believe acquired the infection from the natural environment. The individual was hospitalized in Minnesota after traveling through western states, including North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Laboratory analysis in Minnesota confirmed the diagnosis of anthrax.
"All evidence points to this case of anthrax being caused by exposure to naturally occurring anthrax in the environment," said Minnesota State Epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield. The individual had exposure to soil and animal remains. Cases of anthrax in hooved animals occur yearly in parts of the country including the Midwest and West as far south as Texas, and up to the Canadian border.
Because anthrax can be used as a bioterrorism agent, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this matter jointly with MDH, but no evidence suggesting it was a criminal or terrorist act was obtained. As such, the FBI is no longer actively investigating the incident.
Health officials stressed that the case does not represent an increased risk of anthrax to the public. "Anthrax is not spread from person to person, and it is extremely rare for humans to become sickened with anthrax, especially through inhalation," Lynfield said. In rare cases, individuals can become sickened by anthrax if they handle infected animal carcasses or ingest contaminated soil or meat from infected animals. People can also become infected by handling contaminated wool or hides or other products from infected animals. In years past, anthrax was known as "woolsorter's disease".
Because these cases are so rare, health officials are not discouraging people from traveling to areas where anthrax can be found naturally in the environment.
The individual is being treated at a Minnesota hospital.
More information on anthrax, symptoms and treatment, can be found on the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/anthrax/anthrax.html.
Officials say case does not represent increased risk to general public
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate an apparent case of inhalational anthrax in an individual who officials believe acquired the infection from the natural environment. The individual was hospitalized in Minnesota after traveling through western states, including North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Laboratory analysis in Minnesota confirmed the diagnosis of anthrax.
"All evidence points to this case of anthrax being caused by exposure to naturally occurring anthrax in the environment," said Minnesota State Epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield. The individual had exposure to soil and animal remains. Cases of anthrax in hooved animals occur yearly in parts of the country including the Midwest and West as far south as Texas, and up to the Canadian border.
Because anthrax can be used as a bioterrorism agent, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this matter jointly with MDH, but no evidence suggesting it was a criminal or terrorist act was obtained. As such, the FBI is no longer actively investigating the incident.
Health officials stressed that the case does not represent an increased risk of anthrax to the public. "Anthrax is not spread from person to person, and it is extremely rare for humans to become sickened with anthrax, especially through inhalation," Lynfield said. In rare cases, individuals can become sickened by anthrax if they handle infected animal carcasses or ingest contaminated soil or meat from infected animals. People can also become infected by handling contaminated wool or hides or other products from infected animals. In years past, anthrax was known as "woolsorter's disease".
Because these cases are so rare, health officials are not discouraging people from traveling to areas where anthrax can be found naturally in the environment.
The individual is being treated at a Minnesota hospital.
More information on anthrax, symptoms and treatment, can be found on the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/anthrax/anthrax.html.