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Resources: Kansas County Contact Information Bioterrorism Response, Kansas Health
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Official CDC Health Update posted 10/08/01
This is an official CDC Health Update Distributed via Health Alert Network Update: Ongoing Investigation of Anthrax in Florida
October 8, 2001
Today public health officials in Palm Beach County Health Department began to evaluate and offer prophylactic treatment to persons who might have been exposed to Bacillus anthracis (the bacteria that causes anthrax) while working or visiting America Media Inc. (AMI) in Boca Raton, Florida.
Persons known to have been in the AMI building for at least one hour since August 1, 2001, will be contacted if they have not already been evaluated. Those who are not currently in Florida might seek care in other jurisdictions. Contact your local or State health department if this happens in your jurisdiction, so that the information can be relayed to CDC and the Palm Beach County Health Department. The prophylactic antibiotic treatment regimens recommended for persons potentially exposed to B. anthracis at AMI are attached. Additional information about prophylactic treatment for anthrax can be found at www.bt.cdc.gov
Federal agencies and public health officials are continuing to investigate anthrax in Florida. No additional cases of anthrax have been identified.
Reminder: symptoms of inhalational anthrax include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue that rapidly progress to severe systemic illness. Workers and visitors associated with the AMI worksite in Florida who develop such symptoms should be thoroughly evaluated to exclude anthrax and be reported to the state health department.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL (404) 639-2807
Recommendations for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for B. anthracis in Florida These recommendations are based on the susceptibility pattern of the B. anthracis isolate from the Florida inhalational anthrax case.
Adult males (ages 18-65 yrs) Ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally twice a day for 60 days OR Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 60 days OR Amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times a day for 60 days *Drug-drug interactions and individual patient allergies should be considered when selecting an antibiotic for prophylaxis.
Non-pregnant adult females (ages 18-65 yrs) Ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally twice a day for 60 days OR Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 60 days OR Amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times a day for 60 days *Drug-drug interactions and individual patient allergies should be considered when selecting an antibiotic prophylaxis.
Pregnant adult females Amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times a day for 60 days * If allergic to amoxicillin or penicillin, consultation with a physician is required as ciprofloxacin or doxycycline may be indicated. Adults age > 65 yrs Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 60 days OR Ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally twice a day for 60 days OR Amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times a day for 60 days *Drug-drug interactions and individual patient allergies should be considered when selecting an antibiotic for prophylaxis. ** In older adults, the potential CNS side effects of ciprofloxacin should also be considered when selecting an antibiotic for prophylaxis.
Antibiotics for children are listed in order of preference: Children > 9 yrs Amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times a day for 60 days OR Ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally twice a day for 60 days OR Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 60 days *Drug-drug interactions and individual patient allergies should be considered when selecting an antibiotic for prophylaxis. Amoxicillin is preferred for children. If allergic to amoxicillin or penicillin, consultation with a physician is required as ciprofloxacin or doxycycline may be indicated.
Children < 9 yrs Amoxicillin 80 mg/kg/day orally, divided into three doses a day for 60 days OR Ciprofloxacin 10-15 mg/kg/day orally, divided into two doses a day for 60 days OR Doxycycline 5 mg/kg/day orally, divided into two doses a day for 60 days * Drug-drug interactions and individual patient allergies should be considered when selecting an antibiotic for prophylaxis. Amoxicillin is preferred for children. If allergic to amoxicillin or penicillin, consultation with a physician is required as ciprofloxacin or doxycycline may be indicated.
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