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Monday, 5 November, 2001, 13:51 GMT
Anthrax: How real is the threat?
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US President George W Bush has proposed making it a crime to buy, build or acquire biological weapons for terrorist attacks.
He also recommended that the United Nations should devise a means to investigate suspected biological warfare attacks.
The proposals came as the US Food and Drug Agency announced that four of its mail rooms in Washington had tested positive for anthrax during preliminary tests. If confirmed the finding would make the FDA the latest branch of the US Government to be affected by anthrax.
There were 17 confirmed cases of anthrax in the US in October, including 10 cases of inhalation anthrax and seven of the less dangerous skin anthrax. Four people have so far died from the disease.
Meanwhile, Pakistani officials say anthrax-infected letters have been identified in the country - apparently the first ones sent to Asia. A letter sent last week to the offices of the Daily Jang newspaper in Karachi has tested positive for the deadly spores, its editor has said.
Has the threat posed by the disease now been heightened? How do you feel the authorities have coped with the anthrax threat so far? Can governments ever adequately prepare for such terror?
We took your calls on this issue LIVE in a Talking Point phone-in programme on BBC World Service Radio and BBC News Online. To add your comments to the debate, use the form at the bottom of the page
I'm a US citizen and I believe our government is overlooking the labs we had in the US for the experimentation of anthrax. We could have our own extremists who may be responsible, as when these labs closed in the early 50's who is to say all the anthrax was destroyed?
Jo Ann Rattey Hicks Moscow, Idaho
Four people dead. A tragedy for those affected but to get things in proportion, how many more people have been killed and maimed in car accidents in the same time? The problem with these attacks is that they are almost impossible to completely protect against. The US sense of invincibility has been taken away. Billion dollar missile defence shields and stealth bombers are no protection. The rules have changed. I personally sympathise with the US but they need to wise up. Isolationism is no longer an option in a globalised world. We need to pressure Israel to give the Palestinians a break and take away the terrorists' excuses. Bombing the terrorists is only fighting the symptoms. Take away their support and the war will be short.
RJ, Portland, OR, USA
The connection between a terrorist meeting with an Iraqi agent and the letters, some of which, I recall, were sent on September 11, should be investigated more thoroughly.
It seems to me that the US may soon become a quarantine zone entirely. With anthrax turning up in diplomatic mail around the country, and with major sorting machines being shown to be infected it might only be a matter of time before spores turn up in many other places too.
The death of the nurse in New York City, apparently unconnected with any of the other known incidences could just be the start of this.
Anyone, or even any country, might reasonably begin to question whether to accept mail from the US.
Dave, Helsinki, Finland
I might be one of the few people in the world with a lifetime immunity to anthrax. I got it at the age of 12 from my 4-H (farm youth club) orphan sheep in 1955. I still have a scar on my middle finger. It developed as far as the black circle on the skin which indicates necropsy of the tissue. I was given penicillin (just to add to my semi-monthly dose) I remember it as a cut that would not heal.
Every antibiotic used frivolously increases the number of immune bacteria of all kinds. Growing up in the 50s I received penicillin often just to keep my mother quiet.
The number of deaths caused by over-use of antibiotics and its subsequent antibiotic-resistant germs will make anthrax deaths pale by comparison.
Cannot mail to high risk addresses be sterilised - either by heat or radiation?
I personally think this is some right-wing lunatic group. If it had been the work of those morons of the 11th of September, I think it would have been more deadly. What really impresses me is that the investigating authorities have not been able to find any clues whatsoever up till now on the big question: who dunnit. I compare this to the miraculous hijacker's passport found in the ruins of the WTC, surviving an explosion and an inferno that melted steel. Somebody tell me what's going on here?
Jamie, Texas, USA
The US, richest nation in the world, wants to overrule international patent law so it can make "Cipro" generic antibiotic cheaply (just to save some money). And why not? Five dead so far is a massive crisis. But when Africa wants to do this for HIV treatment (to alleviate its tiny, insignificant, Aids crisis), the US threatens to apply sanctions.
And the US wonder why people the world over hate them? They are still breathtakingly selfish.
There are many incurable diseases or infections throughout the world and we do know how to live with them or rather survive in the long run. A few attacks using deadly Anthrax cannot change the lifestyles of millions of people across the globe. We should not over-react to these temporary problems, as this will only lead to further pessimism. Prevention is better than cure and hence, the authorities must gear up for preventing further escalation of these attacks. Finally, a 'tit for tat' policy for those who are harbouring this menace of bioterrorism will considerably reduce the possibilities of the germ warfare.
In reply to Mahesh Chandra Somani. Well, they may not change the lifestyles of millions, but they would perhaps make those millions realize that these spores were developed and stockpiled by their own tax-money.
Why were no whimpers heard when your elected governments stockpiled them? Probably because you felt your governments would use them, if at all, somewhere in the Middle East, and you yourselves would be protected.
A dose of your own medicine!
Arran, Austin, Texas, USA
This present situation, where attacks are so
random and unpredictable, plays perfectly into
the hands of those in the US government who
have been yearning for years to cut civil
liberties and eliminate dissent. It is fearful
to see the numbers of people in the US who
support the elimination of liberties in order to
face an unseen enemy doing random acts.
I cannot stop wondering why some Americans talk about their fears of losing civil liberties at a time like this. More than the threat from Anthrax people like Mr Jeff Granger, Chicago, USA, are afraid they'll have to give up a few minor benefits. Everything comes at a cost, and I do not think, a few sacrifices in return for a secure and happy life, is asking for too much.
I agree with the person who said that the world has always been scary. It's certainly nothing new. What has always bothered me is that a lot of people seem to think that they are entitled to a safe and prosperous life by virtue of being born in a highly developed industrial nation. Contrary to what the financial companies would like us to believe, there are no guarantees of bright futures for the members of the "lucky club". The only thing we can do is to enjoy life as it comes and accept that we do not know the outcome of all this.
Anthrax was lethal in the day and age it was envisioned as a weapon of mass destruction. As a weapon of mass destruction, it is effective, even though the 100 percent fatality rate thought to exist can no longer be substantiated. As a weapon of terror, it is not viable. Quantities of antibiotics suitable to treat small outbreaks far outweigh the actual need for them. Only when used in the large quantities originally envisioned is anthrax a threat, and the nations that possess this capability would not use anthrax out of fear of nuclear retaliation. World, calm down!
Helga, NY, USA
For us living in the Third World, Anthrax is not the issue. We still are striving for the clean air and water. In my opinion the people in West are overreacting, as there are more potential dangers lurking on their heads all the time. After the hype created by the media about Anthrax, my belief in "ignorance is bliss" has increased.
Anthrax is a non-contagious disease, easily cured by antibiotics. It's not a big, scary plague.
The media needs to be VERY careful right now, both in the reporting of facts and in expressing opinion. The general public cannot cope with sensationalised stories and tends to have selective hearing in their interpretation. There is infinitely more chance of being knocked over by a car than being killed by terrorists, but the whole reason terrorists bother is because they are able to achieve often sheep-like reactions to their relatively minor actions.
Furthermore, the more the media inflame anti-war sentiment by showing anthrax victims and refugees, the more chance the liberals have of getting their way. The perpetrators of Sep 11 were, quite simply, madmen and - whilst we value our ideals - we MUST NOT let our own concepts of 'fair play' become our Achilles Heel. Bowing to the terrorists by staying at home hiding will encourage them that there is reward in their actions.
My country runs a very low risk of anthrax. However, I feel disgusted by the cowardly act of the terrorists.
Paul Weymes, Hull, UK
Hundreds of people will die this winter, from a highly contagious, mutating virus that's been around for thousands of years. Because it's contagious, this virus is a far greater threat to your life than anthrax. It's called influenza. Have you had a flu jab this year? You haven't? Then why are you worried about anthrax and why don't the media make a fuss about flu? It's because anthrax is new, and because we don't understand it - and we get a vicarious thrill out of being frightened. Once a new threat becomes a familiar adversary, fear is replaced by contempt. The fact that comedians and cartoonists are already raising loud guffaws of hilarity out of the anthrax problem shows that this is already happening. Cheer up - you'll live!
Tom, Norwich, UK
I'm an American postal worker and we're all deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of two co-workers, and the illness of several others in an apparent anthrax attack in Washington D.C. We're working diligently on protecting both our employees and the public from this inhuman threat. We're also working hard to find and stop the perpetrators of this atrocity and bring them to justice.
Personally I'm not to concerned about this new terror, I realize how extremely remote it is be exposed to this virus, even for postal employees, plus after September 11th I no longer consider myself a "civilian" in the war on terror but a target. Bin Laden and the Taleban should understand that there are people here who are quite prepared to die in defence of freedom
No, Anthrax is not a worry at this time, since more people die from the flu each year. What is worrisome, is the idea that maybe a different method of spreading the disease can be perfected. Or perhaps, this is a test method of bio-terrorism for another, more horrifying disease such as smallpox.
To determine how Americans regard this, look at the interviews with exposed individuals on TV. Do you note that nearly all of them are calm and collected? It seems almost as if the media has had to go hunting in DC to find any upset congressional staffers or postal workers. Aside from those exposed the only group of people in America worried are those who work in the media. Life goes on, and in a way it's almost comforting to see that media sensationalism is alive and well. It shows that things are pretty much normal.
The hype over anthrax has manifested itself into the private sector. People are calling police with reports of suspicious white powder seemingly every time they see it. At Emory University in Atlanta, police responded to a "suspicious white powder" in a student laundry room. Surprise! Officers found it to be laundry detergent. What are the world's citizens supposed to do when our nation's leaders have made the population fearful of their own laundry? I think the terrorists are winning.
The anthrax scares all seem a little suss to me. Why would a terrorist organisation with millions of dollars to spare waste time producing a relatively harmless disease that is not contagious? I believe it is entirely possible the government could be behind this, not only to rally up support for its military action but more importantly, to use as an excuse to invade Iraq (which they are itching to do). Anyone that thinks the American Government is incapable of such behaviour is sorely mistaken. One just needs to take an in depth look at their behaviour in the past. It wouldn't be the first time they have lied, hoodwinked the public and fabricated evidence in order to justify certain military action.
As an American, I feel we all need to calm down. By panicking and demanding antibiotics as well as the appearance of police everywhere we give the terrorists what they want. As an American, I worry more about getting mugged in the parking lot in the city I work in than I do about anthrax.
There has definitely been a bit of hysteria in the US media over the anthrax threat; individual cases have been incessantly harped upon and misinformation has been constantly spread - but please give us a little leeway. We're not used to this pall of terrorism falling over our daily lives.
Is there concern among the American public? Yes - I live in northern Alexandria (for those of you who don't know, that's just south of the Pentagon - my building shook from the blast), and most in this area at least know people working up on the Hill. I also grew up in Stafford County (the residence of the infected postal employee) and probably know his family indirectly. The fact is that we've all been affected, but for the most part there isn't anywhere near the level of rampant panic that CNN, etc. would have you believe.
My way of "managing fear" is to avoid any kind of optimism. I accept that the world is still as it always has been - namely, frightening and unsafe. Biological warfare has been practised intermittently ever since the Black Death, when besieging armies threw infected corpses over city walls. History is littered with massacres and disasters of much greater magnitude than those of September 11. Yet people never resigned themselves to living out their lives in terror and gloom. After a half-century of exceptional ease and security in the West, we may have to relearn the art of cheerful resignation.
The most effective way to generate terror in the minds of Americans and keep the media focused on the issue, is through threats of plague and pestilence. Take a stroll around any drug store in the US and you will get a glimpse into the psyche of the average American. Shelves packed with drugs, many of which are banned in Western Europe, to cover real and more importantly, imaginary illnesses. Americans are obsessed with their health so the threat of danger to it will send most citizens rushing to find a convenient drug to fix it.
America is full of "worried well". Now, the media in America run 24/7 TV and radio. How is this paid for? Through advertising. Much of it paid for by pharmaceutical companies. How best to maintain sales, get the media, to stir up the "worried well" to get out there and buy buy buy their products. Wake up America. Find out the real stories. Widen your sources of information. Sub Sarahan Africa will lose millions of people in the next ten years through HIV/AIDS. Triple therapy drugs are only a dream to those suffering an unimaginable future, often because the drug companies will not let their countries produce them. Understand the real threat!
If the scare-mongering media keeps raging on about the threat of chemical/biological attack the greater the chance of it been implemented by some 'third party'.
The public should be made aware, but not scared to death by premature reporting.
I believe that the individual attacks to the media are detracting from the larger debate. Although each incident deserves our sympathy and concern, single-issue media is tantamount to misinformation. As Professor Ormerod (below) rightly makes us consider, there is a danger in making assumptions. Maybe, stockpiling the Anthrax vaccine is like putting all your eggs in a weak basket. Caution without hysteria can be aided by broadsheet news, not tabloid speculation.
Professor John Ormerod Oslo, Norway
That person who said Australians are very afraid of anthrax is wrong in my experience- yes, there have been hoaxes, and yes there is a small threat to us - but the odds of being killed by anthrax are very small. I feel our newspapers are responsible and the tabloids and TV are living down to their usual level of stupidity - I don't believe Australians in general are worried.
Firstly, Australia has had no anthrax attack - just scares!
Secondly, we are looking to the Arab world for a source yet we have no evidence in fact in the USA the fear of terrorism has in the main come from within.
Thirdly, unless we keep a balanced head and look at the issues we will get drawn into a racism row that will undermine any hope of future peace.
The people responsible for sending the parcels have achieved exactly what they wanted to do. By people panicking when they receive their mail, threats disrupting normality and the vast direction of funds towards acting on these parcels, the responsible party has effectively weakened the "civilized" world and disrupted normality.
The greatest threat of Anthrax is that it will draw attention away from greater emerging threats.
Whilst biological weaponry is a real threat, the greatest threat to society is fear itself.
I'm an Englishman studying in Boston and am not really worried about either anthrax or most biological weapon attacks. I imagine the terrorists killing themselves handling the chemical weapons before killing many of us.
John Marra, Lincoln Park, Michigan - USA
Anthrax has infected eight people so far, what kind of attack is that?
Canada and the US are intending on breaking the drug company Bayer's drug patent on the anti-Anthrax drug in order to save money but both these countries stopped 3rd world countries from doing the same.
Basically I'm sick of 1st world countries hypocrisy.
We are fortunate that it has just been anthrax rather crudely delivered. I dread to think that these people may have more virulent agents and the samples of anthrax we have seen are but a mild prelude.
Kirsty, UK living in US
We should be prepared to protect ourselves from the possible biological/chemical terrorism. Does this mean we have to be paranoid about anything white and powderish, from flour to baby powder? No.
The US media seems to be doing absolutely everything it can to fan the flames of mounting mass paranoia, and lending in some cases quite uncritical support to a so called 'war' against an ill-defined enemy who we are repeatedly told is to be embodied as the single super-terrorist whose name has now become a household word.
The use of anthrax as a weapon is not new. Canada, in the early 1940's, had a dedicated laboratory for its production. Winston Churchill even thought of using it to fill bombs to drop on Germany. Targeting the media with Anthrax is a brilliant ploy as it helps create mass hysteria. We are now entering a phase where a few people can genetically modify our sense of health security.
David, Cincinnati, USA
Why does "paulnuman" of the UK think that the US hasn't reported the bombing of the Red Cross building? Of course it's been reported! I wish people would concentrate on facts and quit writing what they "wish" was true.
As for thinking that the US government has some need to drum up support for the war against terror by hitting people with anthrax, that's just silly. There's plenty of support in this country for the war; no need to kill our own citizens to drum up more support.
What I do find interesting is the two extremes: the people who are scared to death of anthrax, and the people who say it's easily treated and nothing to worry about. In the middle is the reality: be careful, but don't go overboard. Go about your life, but don't think that anthrax is nothing to worry about either.
In response to Paulnuman: I hate to be the one to tell you this but the US media did report that a bomb hit a Red Cross warehouse in Afghanistan when it happened. So no, the US isn't using Anthrax reporting as a way to not report whats going on in Afghanistan
I think it's a good issue for the US administration to divert public opinion from the fighting in Afghanistan. Just look at the US media, they forgot to mention that US hit the Red Cross warehouse in Kabul.
There is this hysteria precisely because the attacks have been on the media; and as we all know when it is one of theirs┐
Yankee Jack, Ann Arbor, USA
To put the Anthrax scare in perspective, in the same time that seven people have got anthrax a local university (univ of wisconsin)has sent five times that number to the hospital with food poisoning.
Two can play at this game! I believe it's high time that we gave the terrorists a taste of their own medicine. They want to send Anthrax to us, then once we've located where the threat is coming from, send it back to them. Only add some high quality lethal anthrax, place their original letter in a larger envelope, with the message: "Address unknown. Return to sender."
Oh....and to really add salt to the wound write, "PS. Say hi to Osama for me."
I find it fascinating that first the media was talking about the "what ifs" of biological warfare. They began with anthrax and hyping the vaccine. The next thing we knew people were being diagnosed with it. Now the subject is smallpox. When will the first case be diagnosed?
I find it difficult to believe, as the man from Reading suggests, that the us government is spreading anthrax in an effort to justify the continuing action against terrorism. They don't really need any more justification than sept 11.
While people worldwide are being influenced by the threat of anthrax, perhaps we should be on the look out for one of histories worst killers and that is smallpox. Why is the US doubling its defences against smallpox if there isn't a real possibility or threat of perhaps a smallpox plague. Compared to smallpox, anthrax would seem as insignificant to the world's population as the measles.
Clearly enough to put America and the rest of the world off balance.
In Trinidad earlier this week they had an anthrax scare, then here in Barabdos. It is not confirmed whether they are Anthrax or not, but regardless.
I have worked in our university hospital for 21 years.
Anthrax is nothing compared to Hepatitis, Hiv/Aids, VRE, ORSA,the flu season, heart disease, cancer, and a host of other natural illnesses to worry about, that a simple antibiotic will not heal.
Take a deep breath and repeat outloud the following words very slowly: Low Tech, Low Tech, Low Tech.
If these guys had an efficient method to disperse this bacteria, they would have used it by now. Even if they come up with one their cover is blown and everyone is looking out for possible infections. The appropriate antibiotic is available if anyone is infected. Now take another deep breath and slowly repeat the following: we have the antibiotic, we have the antibiotic, we have antibiotic.
It is my opinion that the antherax scare is self created only to divert the attention of the people from the war, for if the terrorists managed to kill 6000 people why would they care to scare people by making them sick.
The threat to society is very real. How else could somebody with a grudge and a box of soap powder bring major cities to a halt? As with much else it seems the fear is worse than the reality.
Pat, Endicott USA
As a great American once said "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself". More people are rushed to Casualty after being injured by carpets and stairs than by biological weapons. And I'm not about to get nervous about using stairs.
The cases of anthrax are more or less unsettling news. The so-called mass panic stems from the overdramatised news reports from the likes of CNN and BBC; there may be some alarm but not hysteria, as the news agencies would like to have it. However, I know what to do if I should ever come across a "suspicious" package.
William Colley, Montpelier, USA
Anthony of Reading, wake up. There is no lack of support here in the US for the government. Furthermore, fighting bio terrorism is very expensive and will hurt the US economy. As Clinton has said, "It's the economy, stupid," that lost the election for Bush's father. It took years and a bit of luck to find the Unabomber, and it will be difficult to find who is behind the Anthrax scare.
Is it not possible that in the light of growing public resentment for the war - that the US government itself is introducing anthrax in a controlled manner to rally public support and justify the continued war effort?
Anthrax isn't that frightening but the realization that there are other nasty pathogens made as weapons is. On a side note: the people writing that this is some government conspiracy should go to Roswell and look for a downed spacecraft.
The only thing I fear right now is the ignorance and panic the 'anthrax scare' is causing. A thousand hysterical people frighten me far more than a disease that can be treated with antibiotics. Be aware, people, not paranoid.
Brooks Groves, Seattle, Washington
I have not seen any panic. Have not heard of anyone who is afraid (except in the media). Most people are going about their business. Most people I know are more concerned about the bombs we are dropping on Afghanistan, and the lack of success we seem to be having with the humanitarian relief. As for the House dismissing early, it seemed like a rational thing to do.
Sharon, Baltimore USA
Regarding Anthony in Reading's statements: Oh brilliant deduction. The number 1 priority of my government prior to the attacks in September was getting the economy back on track. All this has done is send shockwaves through any progress they were working towards. The last thing the government would do now is start their own internal biological attacks. How in the world would that jumpstart the economy?? Americans don't need tragedy to rally us. We are naturally patriotic and protective of our country, and our government, who themselves are ordinary citizens, know this.
James, Pittsburgh PA USA
I believe Americans have a lot of resolve and determination to put this "bio-terrorism" in right perspective. I see people more pre-occupied by uncertainties about the economy and job security than about anthrax. Sure, people are vigilant and alert, but not in panic. It's business as usual - even Bush has returned to business, making a trip to China to bolster economic relationships between countries.
C Wright, UK
I am very concerned about what is happening concerning anthrax.
It is a simple but highly effective deadly terrorist weapon.
Everybody is at risk. People are being very cautious about opening their mail right now and we shouldn't have to be. The fact that it is so easy and discrete makes it so deadly. The sick terrorists who are spreading the anthrax have us where they want us and other deadly biological and chemical weapons could be on the way. I think this new kind of biological war will get out of control and a lot of people will suffer.
I'm worried I won't get my usual daily fix of real news because the media are hysterical about anthrax.
A deadly biochemical weapon that can be cured by antibiotics? Oooh I'm scared! Better to sneeze on a letter and hope the recipient catches a cold...
David Peach, London, UK
Brian Roberts, UK
Anthrax is not dangerous - the government assures us that it is non-contagious and unlikely to infect many people. This is the same government that tells us that MMR does not lead to autism, that foot-and-mouth was under control in June and that Public Private Partnership is the best solution for the Tube.
Can anyone explain why the Australian Government and public is making such a big thing about bio-chemical warfare attacks on its major cities? Correct me if I am wrong but Australia is the last place that is likely to be targeted so why are people here rushing out to by gas masks? Answer: because as usual, Australia hates to feel as though they being left out of anything.
Robert Morpheal, Canada
M M Zaman, UK in US
How worried? Not in the slightest. One person dead - more people die of flu every day. The only people who seem to be panicking are the editors of the more down-market papers in the UK.
Melinda Kohn, Columbus, OH, USA
Cannot agree more with Phil, Chicago. Myself, and none of the people I meet on a daily basis are scared of the anthrax thing. We are more concerned about the economy, the jobless rate and the recession. Our media is scaring the hell out of the investors, adding to the bad situation already existing. Just stick to the facts and stop the scare mongering. Leave the analysis to the experts.
Hello from Texas. I'm fine. Went to work, was not infected with anthrax from any source - home or abroad, no planes crashed into me, none of my fellow citizens shot at me. Went to the store, but completely forgot to buy cat litter. I also need new tyres for my wheelchair. I'll do that tomorrow. Such is life in wartime.
I hope those who argued that the UN weapons inspectors should be pulled out of Iraq two years ago are now ashamed of themselves. Either the high-quality anthrax used in the US attacks was stolen from a western research lab, or produced covertly in a sophisticated facility maintained by a government that has a track record of using chemical and biological weapons. If the DNA profile of this anthrax indicates that it comes from a non-western source, then the UN must immediately insist that its weapons inspectors are given full access to all of Iraq's facilities to ensure the means of production of these, and other weapons are dismantled immediately. For Iraq to refuse this would be tantamount to an admission of guilt. This is no longer a question of politics or sanctions - Russia and France must step back from their previously pro-Iraqi position and back calls for the UN weapons inspectors to be allowed back in immediately.
Life is just too damned random to spend our time worrying. In his Letter From America last weekend, Alistair Cooke told the world that there was something like a one out of 100,000 chance of becoming a victim of a terrorist attack. I'd love to talk to the mathematician who made this estimate. How can this be calculated or estimated accurately? Personally, since I get around on a mountain bike, I'm probably more likely to get run over by a motorcar than die of pulmonary anthrax.
I work at a national newspaper situated in the tallest building in Britain. Am I scared? Nope, because I sadly have a job so I can't sit around worrying all day. I've got better things to do with my time than worry about death.
It's almost like seeing the foot and mouth crisis through the eyes of a cow or sheep. We're very vulnerable, and there's little that can be done once we have it.
I'm not sure if I agree with the foot and mouth comment made by Alex Banks, but then I disagree with the way the that crisis was handled. But foot and mouth is a non-fatal disease treated by culling. Anthrax does its own dirty work and human slaughter is somewhat less pleasant for us.
Duncan Skeels, UK
Anthrax is treatable and can be prevented by vigilance in how it's handled. So it's not really a cause for concern. Moreover there is no evidence that it is a weapon of mass destruction.
It is sickening to hear about anthrax all the time. I hear very little about what kind of sickness it is or what the symptoms are. All I've heard is that it has affected the big shots - American Media, ABC and more recently the Houses of Congress. One will never know whether it is a conspiracy to divert public attention from American failure to win the battle in Afghanistan in a short time or just another news substitute for the Gary Condit scandal. It is hard to believe that it cannot be controlled or that the source or origin cannot be found. This only casts doubts over whether it is a creation of those who cannot find it or if it really is a terrorist threat.
Since the only places that have been hit by anthrax are government buildings and a couple of newsrooms I have nothing to fear. This is America. I have a greater chance of getting robbed or killed walking down the street. This is what most Americans have to fear. Unless you live in Beverly Hills.
Call me cynical, but it sure was interesting that the Americans first announced that the Anthrax was weapons grade, only to retract this statement later on. More interesting, however, is the fact that only two countries actually have the facilities to produce this in a powder form - one nation being Russia and the other, the USA itself, with the others only able to produce Anthrax in liquid form. Oh dear, looks like the war PR department blundered there.
Anthrax is a disease like any other. If you get sick you see a doctor and get cured. I am much more worried about being mugged than by a bacterium we can easily fight. The man in America who died was very unlucky, but now that people are on the lookout for anthrax there is little to worry about. Remember only one person in all the billions on earth has died of it. How many people will be killed in car accidents today?
As a nurse the most important thing for me is people's health, especially anyone who has been infected by Anthrax. Secondly, I'm not for or against any kind of war, so I don't agree with terrorism but the USA's bombing of Red Cross Camps and civilian houses was intolerable.
I'm not very concerned as in India we are susceptible to all kinds of odds. No real and effective protection exists, but God Almighty's grace.
What I am really concerned about with the continuing anthrax attacks
is: where is it all coming from? Countries that stock military grade anthrax are known. It should be relatively easy to ask for and receive samples to compare them to the types sent by post in the USA. This will then identify the source of the anthrax. The next worry is what the US and their alliance partners will do if one country does not provide a sample. Take this as an admission of guilt? The final worry is what the response will be if Iraq is identified as the source. Attacks with biological weapons of mass destruction could lead to a big glow in the sky.
My biggest concern is with those who are taking advantage of the troubles of September 11 to carry out hoaxes. Those who spread anthrax should be punished and those who make hoaxes should be given lengthy prison sentences without the possibility of parole.
Terrorists are experts at spreading hate and prejudice. I fear that the anthrax attacks, as well as the hoaxes are going to prove very effective at this.
Disclaimer: The BBC will use as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.
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