University of New Mexico lab rabbit tests positive for anthrax
Comment from Dr. Nass (mnass@gwi.net):
*In the article below, a laboratory rabbit turned out to have anthrax. The spokesperson says don't worry; the anthrax is found naturally in the New Mexisco soil. How did the rabbit get anthrax from soil when it lives in a cage? Twenty people are to receive antibiotics. None are getting vaccine: why would they, since
antibiotics are 100% effective for susceptible strains? -- Meryl
University of New Mexico lab rabbit tests positive for anthrax
Associated Press - November 17, 2007 12:54 PM ET
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Two people who performed a necropsy on a laboratory rabbit that has tested positive for anthrax have been given antibiotics as a precaution.
A team of epidemiologists and scientists are trying to determine how the rabbit used as part of a research project at the University of New Mexico was exposed to anthrax.
A spokesman for UNM's Health Sciences Center, Sam Giammo, says the incident is not a public health threat.
He says the anthrax found in the rabbit occurs naturally in the soil in New Mexico.
The state Department of Health announced yesterday that a tissue sample from the rabbit tested positive for anthrax, which can be passed from animal to human.
Giammo says about 20 UNM lab workers also will be given antibiotics.
*In the article below, a laboratory rabbit turned out to have anthrax. The spokesperson says don't worry; the anthrax is found naturally in the New Mexisco soil. How did the rabbit get anthrax from soil when it lives in a cage? Twenty people are to receive antibiotics. None are getting vaccine: why would they, since
antibiotics are 100% effective for susceptible strains? -- Meryl
University of New Mexico lab rabbit tests positive for anthrax
Associated Press - November 17, 2007 12:54 PM ET
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Two people who performed a necropsy on a laboratory rabbit that has tested positive for anthrax have been given antibiotics as a precaution.
A team of epidemiologists and scientists are trying to determine how the rabbit used as part of a research project at the University of New Mexico was exposed to anthrax.
A spokesman for UNM's Health Sciences Center, Sam Giammo, says the incident is not a public health threat.
He says the anthrax found in the rabbit occurs naturally in the soil in New Mexico.
The state Department of Health announced yesterday that a tissue sample from the rabbit tested positive for anthrax, which can be passed from animal to human.
Giammo says about 20 UNM lab workers also will be given antibiotics.
