Tularemia in Washington DC

http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/Health/story?id=1174699

A relatively rare biological agent has been detected in air filters serving Washington D.C. in recent weeks, ABC News has learned — but current evidence does not show any indication whatsoever of terrorism.

Why isn't this in the news today? It says "recent weeks" however the Washington Post is reporting it was found in six air filters in the vicinity of the anti war protests on the 24/25 of September.

Again, it says ..don't be concerned..however health departments in both VA and here in MD are being alerted to symptoms.

How rare would this be, to have aerosolized Tularemia in the center of a big city?

This isn't good.

It says it is a natural agent that comes from rats and dead carcasses. One police officer said that because of drought conditions and "heavy pedestrian traffic", the particles may be more in the air than usual. CAuses flu-like symptoms, not considered a serious health risk.

At least Homeland Security is doing their job in Washington D.C.

I'd never even heard of this.

So I had to look it up:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/tularemia/faq.asp

(somehow, rabbit fever doesn't sound so ominous)

I saw that, too, "one police officer said", however, in a search on CDC sites, it seems it's normally found in rural areas, seldom aerosolized, almost never contracted through airborne particles short a lab accident, etc.
ABC did report it as "weeks" however, the cdc is now reporting it as a twenty-four hour episode involving SIX air filters spread out over the area.
CDC also maintains on their site that if this bacteria is found in airfilters it should not be considered a normal environmental circumstance.
Are they wavering now? However nice it is to think this police officer has knowledge of it's source, I can't imagine that on a windy day, or under the lawn mower activity, or the street scrubbing activity that this would not have occurred on any day other than the day of the protest against the war in Iraq.

Pook said:

I'd never even heard of this.

So I had to look it up:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/tularemia/faq.asp

(somehow, rabbit fever doesn't sound so ominous)

Click to expand...

From Pooks link..
Q. What should someone do if he or she suspects exposure to tularemia bacteria?
A. If you suspect you were exposed to tularemia bacteria, see a doctor quickly. Treatment with antibiotics for a period of 10-14 days or more after exposure may be recommended. If you are given antibiotics, it is important to take them according to the instructions you receive. All of the medication you are given must be taken.

Local and state health departments should be notified immediately so an investigation and infection control activities can begin.

Are there going to be some, weakened individuals that should have this information? Babies? HIV adults? pregnant women? the elderly?

Why did they keep this secret until "as they said" the "sunset of the incubation period"?

or...maybe it's a lie? to frighten away 300,000 protestors from ever "trying that again"? maybe it wasn't there at all?

http://www.moxiegrrrl.com/2005/10/germ-warfare-on-protesters-or-just.html

who trusts this government...seems not the medical community