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Anthrax Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.

These are the MediaLab courses that cover Anthrax and links to relevant pages within the course.

Learn more about laboratory continuing education for medical technologists to earn CE credit for AMT, ASCP, NCA, and state license renewal and recertification. Or get information about laboratory safety and compliance courses that deliver cost-effective OSHA safety training and continuing education to your laboratory's employees.

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Introduction to Bioterrorism
The early symptoms of anthrax include:View Page
Category A Agents

Category A agents include: Smallpox (variola major) Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) Plague (Yersinia pestis) Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin) Tularaemia (Francisella tularensis) Ebola hemorrhagic fever Marburghemorrhagic fever Lassa fever Argentine hemorrhagic fever

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Agent: Anthrax (Bacterium)

Most likely means of dissemination: In a solid state Primary route of entry: Inhalation (also ingestion and absorption) General signs and symptoms: Early symptoms are flu-like—chills, fever, nausea, and swelling of lymph nodes.

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Disadvantages of using Biological Agents

They are not immediate. The delayed effect, for example, the long incubation period for some agents, may detract and limit their tactful usefulness as a political statement.They are hazardous to all who come in contact.There is the possibility that the biological agents could also affect the health of the aggressor forces. They are hard to control.The dependence of prevailing winds and other weather conditions such as temperature, sunlight, and desiccation may make it difficult to control distribution of the biological agent.  Potential long term effects beyond the initial attack.The persistence of some agents such as spore-forming anthrax in the environment may make an area uninhabitable to aggressor forces for long periods. Results are unpredictable.Morbidity secondary to a biological attack is unpredictable since casualties will be related to the quantity and manner of exposure plus the preventive and treatment measures available.

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Early symptoms of inhaled Anthrax includeView Page
Your Response – At Work

Recent events, including the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the subsequent bioterrorist releases of anthrax, have been a harsh awakening that the nation’s workplaces could be terrorist targets.Traditionally laboratory safety guidelines have emphasized use of optimal work practices, appropriate containment equipment, well-designed facilities, and administrative controls to minimize risks of unintentional infection or injury for laboratory workers. Today, in addition to the above, laboratories must make a risk and threat assessment, secure data and electronic technology systems, plus develop policies regarding specimen accountability, facility security, and emergency response.The next few pages will cover a number of things that you can do to assist in making your laboratory more risk free to a terrorist attack and some things you can do in case that security is breached. You too have a role in the security of your workplace!

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