disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...

firm and feels like there’s something hard inside - like a
BB pellet) -- lasts about 5 days
• Pustules become scabs - fever still high, next the pustules
form a crust turning into scabs - lasts about 5 days -- about
2 weeks after rash first appears most of the sores will be
scabbed over
• Scabs fall off - takes about 6 days for all the scabs to fall
off leaving a scar or dent in the skin where each scab was
(most are gone about 3 weeks after early rash first
appears). Person is no longer contagious when all scabs
have fallen off.
Treatment: There is no cure or treatment for smallpox. A vaccination within
4 days of being exposed could help stop disease but, if vaccinated years
ago, it’s doubtful you’d be protected now. Many countries are stockpiling
vaccine and considering vaccinations for all citizens, but many experts feel
that may not be necessary yet. There are certain people who should not get
the vaccine. If you do decide to take vaccination, consider boosting your
immune system before getting shots -- may help your body fight any
adverse reactions.
If you have concerns or questions about smallpox, visit the CDC’s Emergency
Preparedness & Response site at www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox or
the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Emergency Preparedness site at
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ep-mu/smallpox-eng.php
Tularemia - (also known as “rabbit fever”) is a disease caused by a strong
bacterium, Francisella tularensis, found in wild animals and some insects
(especially rabbits, hares, beavers and other rodents, mosquitoes, deerflies
or ticks) and found in soil, water sources and vegetation in those critters’
habitats. F. tularensis is one of the most infectious bacteria known and it
doesn’t take much to cause the disease, plus it can remain alive for weeks
in water and soil. Tularemia has been considered useful as an airborne
weapon worldwide since the 1930s which is why there’s valid concern it
could be used today in a terrorist attack.
How it spreads: Tularemia is not known to spread person to person. Some
wild animals carry the disease - usually because they were bitten by an
infected bug or drank or ate from contaminated water or soil. Hunters and
people who spend a lot of time outdoors can get the disease from critters
through a bite or handling a diseased carcass (skin), from eating an
infected animal not properly cooked or by drinking contaminated water
(stomach), or from breathing in dust from contaminated soil (lungs).
Signs & Symptoms: Depends on how person is exposed to tularemia and
all symptoms may not occur -- all 3 usually appear in 3 to 5 days (or take
100 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325