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What Would Happen in Major City if Terrorists Used Smallpox Virus?

Aired January 31, 2003 - 05:18   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the president got one, a vaccination for smallpox, and now vaccinations are available for front line medical personnel in many states. But what would happen in a major city if terrorists used the smallpox virus?
Our medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta brings us the answer.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If there's one place in America where you think a smallpox attack could kill a huge number of people, it's right here, in New York City. You see, smallpox is transmitted by person to person contact and in New York City, you simply can't avoid that.

(voice-over): So why doesn't this man, New York City's health commissioner, seem all that concerned?

DR. THOMAS FRIEDEN, COMMISSIONER, NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: On the one hand, it's a terrible disease. On the other hand, we do have an effective vaccine and we would be able to control it if it came back.

GUPTA: And history agrees with him. New York actually had to deal with smallpox in 1947. An infected tourist returning from Mexico brought it here. The city mobilized and vaccinated over six million people. When all was said and done, only 11 people were infected and two people died.

(on camera): Of course, the 1947 case was a natural occurrence. An intentional attempt designed to infect as many people as possible could be much more difficult to contain.

(voice-over): And New York is much more complicated today. Thousands of commuters come here every day. Experts think each infected individual could spread smallpox to five other people. And so on. And so on. The numbers are based, in part, on a Brookings Institute model. Here is a single case of smallpox being introduced into two neighboring unvaccinated towns. Six weeks later, 11 weeks later.

But Dr. Frieden remains undaunted.

FRIEDEN: So that if there were an outbreak, we could rapidly activate and vaccinate. GUPTA: To be sure, most individuals would not be contagious unless they are very sick. And if they are very sick, they will not likely be out spreading the disease. Additionally, many first responders are choosing to get the vaccine.

(on camera): Are you going to get vaccinated?

FRIEDEN: I plan to get vaccinated in all likelihood.

GUPTA: So that they might also stem the spread. The vaccine can be effective if given within four days of being exposed to smallpox. Dr. Frieden is convinced they could get it here fast.

(on camera): And it would get here how fast?

FRIEDEN: Fast.

GUPTA (voice-over): New York, like many cities around the country, is preparing, and preparing again so that these citizens will never ever know the scourge of smallpox.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, the streets of New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Smallpox Virus?>


Aired January 31, 2003 - 05:18   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the president got one, a vaccination for smallpox, and now vaccinations are available for front line medical personnel in many states. But what would happen in a major city if terrorists used the smallpox virus?
Our medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta brings us the answer.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If there's one place in America where you think a smallpox attack could kill a huge number of people, it's right here, in New York City. You see, smallpox is transmitted by person to person contact and in New York City, you simply can't avoid that.

(voice-over): So why doesn't this man, New York City's health commissioner, seem all that concerned?

DR. THOMAS FRIEDEN, COMMISSIONER, NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: On the one hand, it's a terrible disease. On the other hand, we do have an effective vaccine and we would be able to control it if it came back.

GUPTA: And history agrees with him. New York actually had to deal with smallpox in 1947. An infected tourist returning from Mexico brought it here. The city mobilized and vaccinated over six million people. When all was said and done, only 11 people were infected and two people died.

(on camera): Of course, the 1947 case was a natural occurrence. An intentional attempt designed to infect as many people as possible could be much more difficult to contain.

(voice-over): And New York is much more complicated today. Thousands of commuters come here every day. Experts think each infected individual could spread smallpox to five other people. And so on. And so on. The numbers are based, in part, on a Brookings Institute model. Here is a single case of smallpox being introduced into two neighboring unvaccinated towns. Six weeks later, 11 weeks later.

But Dr. Frieden remains undaunted.

FRIEDEN: So that if there were an outbreak, we could rapidly activate and vaccinate. GUPTA: To be sure, most individuals would not be contagious unless they are very sick. And if they are very sick, they will not likely be out spreading the disease. Additionally, many first responders are choosing to get the vaccine.

(on camera): Are you going to get vaccinated?

FRIEDEN: I plan to get vaccinated in all likelihood.

GUPTA: So that they might also stem the spread. The vaccine can be effective if given within four days of being exposed to smallpox. Dr. Frieden is convinced they could get it here fast.

(on camera): And it would get here how fast?

FRIEDEN: Fast.

GUPTA (voice-over): New York, like many cities around the country, is preparing, and preparing again so that these citizens will never ever know the scourge of smallpox.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, the streets of New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Smallpox Virus?>