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American Morning
America Strikes Back: Fatal Case of Anthrax Exposure Has Heightened Public Fears About Bioterrorism
Aired October 12, 2001 - 10:12 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The fatal case of anthrax exposure in Florida has heightened public fears about one of the most insidious threats out there, bioterrorism. Long discussed, but largely dismissed by many. The threat takes human form with the discovery that two of victims coworkers since tested positive for exposure. A closer look at the topic and what you need to know, Dr. Tara O'Toole, from the Center of Civilian Biodefense Studies, with us live this morning.
Doctor, good morning to you.0
DR. TARA O'TOOLE, CENTER OF CIVILIAN BIODEFENSE STUDIES: Good morning.
HEMMER: I think anytime we talk about this topic, especially now, we have to tread with a bit of caution right now. How are we able to separate our true fears from paranoia when we talk about this issue?
O'TOOLE: Well, I think since September 11th, all of us have been in a state of post-traumatic stress to some extent. It's completely formal after such a shocking experience to be what's called hypervigilant, to be jumpy, anxious, little things make us worried, nervous and very unhappy.
And on top of that, we now have this very confusing story of a fatal case of anthrax in Florida. It looks now as though that was not a terrorist attack. There is still a lot of unanswered questions about how the anthrax got into that office building. But luckily, only one death had ensued, and it sounds as though all of the other people working in that place are safe.
HEMMER: Ultimately, though, that probably is the best thing to underline at this point, there is no connection with terrorism. But now the fact you have it out there and on news networks and newspapers all over the country, again, the question begs, how do you keep people calm, knowing what we face right now?
O'TOOLE: Well, I think there's a lot of reason to be optimistic, if we look closely at the Florida case. For example, it was clear that the public health authorities in Florida were all over this very rapidly, that the diagnosis was made very quickly by a well-trained laboratory, that CDC got down there very quickly and got people on antibiotics appropriately.
So I think there is a lot of lessons that we can learn from Florida. One lesson that we might take to heart and try to improve upon is getting more information to the public faster.
HEMMER: How do you do that, doctor?
O'TOOLE: Well, I think it's very complicated. After all, this was and is a criminal investigation, and we don't usually broadcast those results while examine nations are ongoing. No one wants to give out information prematurely before it's validated or complete. And certainly, no state health department in the country is equipped to handle the kind of media storm that is now blanketing Florida.
So I think it's very difficult to figure out how to get information out quickly. But I think it would be very useful if Health and Human Services could work with the FBI and perhaps change some customary procedures so that people got more information about these health issues faster.
HEMMER: Do you think that comes under homeland defense, and the Tom Ridge agency created, on Monday, as a matter of fact?
O'TOOLE: Yes, that might actually be a very good job for Governor Ridge to oversee, an accommodation between FBI and the health authorities and maybe we just need more resources, more press people down there.
HEMMER: I want to read from you a quote that you made on Capitol Hill. You were testifying there, on a panel regarding bioterrorism. You say -- I'm quoting now -- "I think an aerosol released biological weapon is the greatest concern, because it's released quietly, and is odorless and it would be weeks before symptoms would appear." The obvious question, how close is anyone right now to making a that reality, if at all?
O'TOOLE: We don't know the answer to that questions. Let me just correct that quote for a moment. Depending upon the pathogen that was used, it may be hours, days or weeks until people first get symptomatic.
It's clear, though, that with biological weapons, you have an opportunity for actions between the time when a bug might be released and when people first get ill. If you can actually quickly diagnose an outbreak and move treatments into place rapidly, you can definitely mitigate the kind of suffering or death that might ensue as a consequence. That's why it's so important to have public health up and ready to go.
HEMMER: I always throw a cold blanket on this, only because I don't want people running in the streets or thinking we are fueling the flames on this story. I think always have to be very cautious where we set on this issue.
Dr. Tara O'Toole, thank you very much, appreciate your thoughts today. O'TOOLE: You're welcome.
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