Caledonia Argus

County set to address threat of small pox

Posted: 12/10/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

The Houston County Public Health Nursing department is part of a nationwide effort to mobilize agencies to respond to a small pox outbreak.

According to PHN director Linda Grupa, small pox was virtually eradicated, but the virus was kept in some laboratories in various countries throughout the world. The concern that the disease could be spread intentionally through bio-terrorism has prompted a nationwide effort to develop a plan of action should that unlikely event occur. The last known case of small pox was in the late 1970s.

The plan, said Grupa, has three stages. The first is to vaccinate members of the initial response team. For our region, 1,000 doses would be available in the first phase. Vaccination would be voluntary, noted Grupa.

The second stage involves vaccinating all health care providers. Again, the vaccination would be voluntary.

The third stage is to offer vaccinations to the general public in the event that there is a release of small pox.

In this country, small pox vaccines have not been given since 1972.

Unlike chicken pox, in which a person is contagious before any symptoms appear, small pox is not contagious until symptoms appear. If a person receives a vaccine within three days of being exposed to a person with small pox, the disease can be halted. If a vaccine is received within seven days, effects of the disease will still be greatly reduced. Although small pox is contagious, it is less easily spread than the flu.

Those who have been vaccinated against small pox run a 30 percent risk of contracting the disease if exposed. For those who have never been vaccinated, the risk is 52 percent. About one-third of those who develop small pox will die. There is no treatment for the disease.

Health officials are reluctant to vaccinate the general public against small pox at this time due to the side effects that can occur, said Grupa. Though rare, those effects can be serious. The small pox vaccine contains a live vaccinia virus, and for that reason special care must be taken of the vaccination site. It takes 15 skin pricks with a bifurcated needle to administer the small pox vaccine.

Grupa said the PHN department will work closely with the Department of Emergency Management to respond to a small pox crisis, should that occur.

Having members of the general public trained to assist in a public health emergency is also important, said Grupa.

ìIf this is a nationwide effort, we (the public health community) will be spread thin,î said Grupa. She encourages people to become trained in the Red Cross model to provide support in a variety of roles. The Scenic Bluffs Chapter of the American Red Cross offers such training and is looking for individuals who are interested in becoming volunteers in disaster services for Houston County. Volunteers would receive free training on how to respond to single family disasters (house fires), as well as larger scale disasters (floods, tornadoes). Volunteer opportunities are designed to match the interests of the individual volunteer.

If interested, call the Scenic Bluffs Chapter at 800-837-6313 or 608-788-1000, Monday through Friday, and ask to speak to the disaster services department.

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