Anthrax prevention

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Prevention

In recent years there have been many attempts to develop new drugs against anthrax; but the existing supply still works fine if treatment is started soon enough.

Prevention can also be accomplished through early detection. In response to the anthrax attacks of October, 2001 utilizing the United States Postal Service (USPS), the USPS has installed BioDetection Systems (BDS)in their large scale mail cancellation facilities. BDS response plans have been formulated by the USPS in conjunction with local responders including fire, police, hospitals and public health. Employees of these facilities have been educated about anthrax, response actions and prophylactic medication. Because of the time delay inherent in getting final verification that anthrax has been used, prophylactic antibiotics use for possibly exposed personnel should commence as soon as possible.

The ultimate in prevention is vaccination against infection but this has to be done well in advance of exposure.

Anthrax vaccines

An FDA-licensed vaccine, produced from one non-virulent strain of the anthrax bacterium, is manufactured by BioPort Corporation, subsidiary of Emergent BioSolutions. The trade name is BioThrax, although it is commonly called Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA). It is administered in a six-dose primary series at 0,2,4 weeks and 6,12,18 months; annual booster injections are required thereafter to maintain immunity. The injections are typically very painful, and may leave the area of injection with swelling; this area may be painful for several days.

Unlike the West, the Soviets developed and used live spore anthrax vaccines produced in Tbilisi, Georgia. This is known as the STI vaccine and its serious side effects restrict its use to healthy adults.