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CNN Sunday Morning

Many People at Risk of Anthrax Exposure Given Doxycycline

Aired October 28, 2001 - 07:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: No new anthrax cases reported overnight in the U.S. That stated, here's where the caseload stands -- 13 people confirmed as having anthrax. Of those, there are seven inhalation cases. That's the worst form of the disease. Three have died. The four remaining, struggling to get better. Six people with cutaneous or skin anthrax.

And an interesting figure this morning, more than 10,000 people in the Washington area alone are taking Cipro right now. But another drug, the drug other than Cipro, is also being used to treat those exposed or believed to be exposed to anthrax.

CNN medical correspondent Rhonda Rowland tells us that antibiotic is the generic form of doxycycline.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RHONDA ROWLAND, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Officials announced Friday night, traces of anthrax were found in the offices of three Congressmen in the Longworth Office Building. One of them, Indiana Congressman Mike Pence, picked up a 60-day course of antibiotics after the bacteria was discovered in his office. Health officials say they do not think the small number of spores pose a serious health risk.

REP. MIKE PENCE (R), INDIANA: But I want the people that I serve to know that they should not be alarmed by these revelations. They should be encouraged. This is an example of the system working.

ROWLAND: Washington health officials say there's been a shift in the preventive therapy now being given to individuals who may have been exposed to Anthrax. Instead of the antibiotic Cipro, they'll now be given the antibiotic doxycycline.

DR. GREGORY MARTIN, BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL: We'll be treating them with 60 days of doxycycline, which is what the CDC is now recommending because we are fortunate to have a very sensitive organism.

ROWLAND: CDC scientists determined early on that the Anthrax strain seen in Florida, New York and Washington responds to a range of antibiotics including Penicillin and doxycycline.

DR. IVAN WALKS, D.C. HEALTH DEPARTMENT: People are now going to be switched from Cipro to doxycycline because it can be more easily tolerated, and in fact, the new folks who we're starting on medication will be started on doxycycline, including, as was reported yesterday, the Supreme Court Justices who will be started on medication.

ROWLAND: Dr. Walks says more than 10,000 people in the Washington area alone are now on Cipro, a powerful drug that does have side effects including rash and upset stomach. It can even cause an allergic reaction that can be life threatening if not treated promptly.

(on-camera): Health officials say their taking steps to protect even more mail room workers. Those at several thousand businesses have been asked to get tested to determine if they've been exposed to anthrax and to get preventive treatment.

Rhonda Rowland, CNN, Washington.

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