Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

Subject: ANTHRAX                                                         

Box  ID: BX001429

Document Number:          2

Folder Title: MEDICAL INFORMATION  ANTHRAX AND MEDEVAC PROCEDURES                                             

Folder Seq #:        408

Unit: 24TH ID     

Parent Organzation: XVIII CORPS 







                                                              AFZP-MD
                                                              17 January 1991


                                   INFORMATION PAPER


        SUBJECT: Anthrax

        1. Purpose. To provide information on the medical aspects of
        anthrax.


        2. Facts.

            a.  Anthrax is caused by the organism Bacillus anthracis, a
                spore forming bacteria which normally affects animals,
                primarily cattle. Under natural conditions, man becomes
                infected by contact with infected animals. Potential sites
                of disease occur in the skin, gastrointestinal system and
                the lungs.

            b.  Skin infection is transmitted via contact with infected
                animal hides. it is a mild disease causing small sores,
                which are easily treated. infection of the gastrointestinal
                tract occurs after ingestion of infected meat and results in
                abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The mortality rate
                is low with treatment. Pulmonary anthrax is transmitted
                via inhalation of spores from infected hides and hair and is
                the primary form of the biological weapon.

            c.  As a weapon, the means of delivery is acrosolization via
                spraying or munition. once inhaled.,the onset of symptoms
                varies from 1 - 5 days and includes fever, weakness and a
                non-productive cough. This is followed by a recovery phase
                of 2 - 4 days. Subsequently, severe respiratory problems
                develop leading to death in most cases.

            d.  The protective mask provides complete protection against
                the inhalation of anthrax spores. A vaccine is available in
                small quantites but is not currently scheduled for
                administration to 24th ID (M) soldiers. Prophylaxis
reatment) with antibotics is effective. The antibotic
                ciprofloxacin is effective and will be issued to all 24th ID
                soldiers through medical channels. The unit of issue is 10
                tablets per soldier (5 day supply, 2 tablets per day). Each
                soldier will be issued a blister pack of 10 tablets. The
                Division currently has 18,840 blister packs which will be
                distributed through medical channels. Shortages can be
                assembled from on hand supplies of ciprofloxacin and
                packaged in standard medication envelopes. The dosing
                schedule should be I tablet with the first and second PB
                tablets each day. initiation will be determined by command.

        3. POC is CPT Long, Division Surgeon's Office, 9-7663-144.



                                           J. BENJAMIN HALL/Division Surgeon

Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

Document 1 f:/Week-22/BX001429/MEDICAL INFORMATION ANTHRAX AND MEDEVAC PROCEDURES/anthrax:09069614060814
Control Fields 17
File Room = may96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-22
Box ID = BX001429
Unit = 24TH ID
Parent Organization = XVIII CORPS
Folder Title = MEDICAL INFORMATION ANTHRAX AND MEDEVAC PROCEDURES
Folder Seq # = 408
Subject = ANTHRAX
Document Seq # = 14
Document Date =
Scan Date = 03-JUN-1996
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 06-SEP-1996