Local experts say don’t panic after anthrax shipment
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JACKSON, Tenn. — The Pentagon says it inadvertently shipped live anthrax spores to as many as nine laboratories in multiple states, including Tennessee. “There is little reason for the public to be concerned at this point,” Dr. Chris Giampapa said. Giampapa works as a pathologist at the Medical Center Laboratory with West Tennessee Healthcare. They diagnose different diseases. “Laboratories such as ours are equipped to handle these organisms,” he said. Health experts said you can touch, swallow or inhale anthrax, which can lead to a black scab, pneumonia and even death if left untreated. Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department Medical Reserve Coordinator Wayne Arnold said it is not contagious. “The only thing I think people need to be concerned about is the fact that it got out in the first place,” he said. Arnold said the bacteria is shipped in sealed containers. “They’re not throwing it in an envelope and sending it to general delivery at the post office,” he said. Giampapa said anthrax is rare but that they have to be ready for isolated cases. “You have to be prepared,” he said. “You always have to keep your guard up every day.” Health experts said infected patients can be treated with antibiotics. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., issued a statement saying: “I‘m very concerned about the possibility that lab workers in Tennessee or those in other states may have been exposed to anthrax because of this disturbing breach in safety procedures. My staff has already been in contact with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Defense, and I‘ll be monitoring the situation closely.”
