DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

Treatment: There is no cure or treatment for smallpox. A vaccination within4 days of being exposed could help stop disease but, if vaccinated yearsago, it’s doubtful you’d be protected now. Many countries are stockpilingvaccine and considering vaccinations for all citizens, but many experts feelthat may not be necessary yet. There are certain people who should not getthe vaccine. If you do decide to take vaccination, consider boosting yourimmune system before getting shots -- may help your body fight anyadverse reactions.If you have concerns or questions about smallpox, visit the CDC’s EmergencyPreparedness & Response site at www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox orthe Public Health Agency of Canada’s Emergency Preparedness site atwww.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ep-mu/smallpox-eng.phpTularemia - (also known as “rabbit fever”) is a disease caused by a strongbacterium, Francisella tularensis, found in wild animals and some insects(especially rabbits, hares, beavers and other rodents, mosquitoes, deerfliesor ticks) and found in soil, water sources and vegetation in those critters’habitats. F. tularensis is one of the most infectious bacteria known and itdoesn’t take much to cause the disease, plus it can remain alive for weeksin water and soil. Tularemia has been considered useful as an airborneweapon worldwide since the 1930s which is why there’s valid concern itcould be used today in a terrorist attack.How it spreads: Tularemia is not known to spread person to person. Somewild animals carry the disease - usually because they were bitten by aninfected bug or drank or ate from contaminated water or soil. Hunters andpeople who spend a lot of time outdoors can get the disease from crittersthrough a bite or handling a diseased carcass (skin), from eating aninfected 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 andall symptoms may not occur -- all 3 usually appear in 3 to 5 days (or takeup to 14 days) ... may include fever, chills, joint pain, weakness, and ...• Skin - may also include a bump or ulcers on bite, swollenand painful lymph glands• Stomach - may also include sore throat, abdominal pain,ulcers on or in mouth, diarrhea or puking• Lungs - may also include dry cough, chest pain, bloodyspittle, trouble breathing or stops breathingTreatment: Tularemia can be treated with antibiotics but exposure to F.tularensis should be treated as soon as possible since it can be deadly.www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325105