DATE=8/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237107
TITLE=ANTHRAX PENTAGON - L
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S MILITARY IS STEPPING UP ITS PROGRAM TO PROTECT
TROOPS FROM THE THREAT OF GERM WARFARE BY VACCINATING THOUSANDS
MORE OF THEM AGAINST DEADLY ANTHRAX. BUT EXPERTS SAY THE
PENTAGON MUST DO A BETTER JOB OF TRAINING ITS PEOPLE HOW TO COPE
WITH THE MICROBES AND CHEMICALS THEY MAY ENCOUNTER ON FUTURE
BATTLEFIELDS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS.
TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST 10 NATIONS, INCLUDING IRAQ, HAVE
PROGRAMS TO TURN DISEASES INTO WEAPONS. THEY SAY U-S TROOPS IN
THE PERSIAN GULF AREA FACE THE GREATEST THREAT FROM GERM WEAPONS.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR HEALTH AFFAIRS, DOCTOR SUE
BAILEY, SAYS ANTHRAX IS THE MOST LIKELY DISEASE TO LOAD INTO A
WARHEAD.
/// DR BAILEY ACT 80///
ANTHRAX IS A SIGNIFICANT BATTLEFIELD THREAT. WE HAVE
PARTICULAR CONCERN BECAUSE IT IS EASILY WEAPONIZED INTO
AN AEROSOL FORM THAT LEADS TO THE DISEASE INHALATION
ANTHRAX.
/// END ACT ///
WHICH DR. BAILEY SAYS IS 99 PERCENT FATAL.
SO FAR, 48-THOUSAND U-S SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIR MEN, AND MARINES
SERVING IN THE GULF HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST SOME OF THE ANTI-ANTHRAX
SHOTS.
THE NEXT STEP BEGINS MONDAY WITH THE INOCULATION OF SERVICE
MEMBERS HEADED FOR KOREA. SOLDIERS ALREADY SERVING IN KOREA WILL
GET SHOTS BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER.
OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, ALL TWO POINT FOUR MILLION ACTIVE DUTY
AND RESERVE MEMBERS OF THE U-S MILITARY WILL GET THE ANTHRAX
VACCINE.
// OPT // IT TAKES SIX INJECTIONS SPACED OVER 18 MONTHS FOR THE
VACCINE TO WORK AS DESIGNED. ANNUAL BOOSTER SHOTS ARE NEEDED TO
MAINTAIN PROTECTION. // END OPT //
PAST PENTAGON VACCINATION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN SEVERELY CRITICIZED
FOR POOR RECORD KEEPING, SECRECY AND OTHER PROBLEMS. AND MORE
THAN A DOZEN SAILORS AND AIRMEN HAVE BEEN DISCIPLINED FOR
REFUSING TO TAKE THE SHOTS.
DR. BAILEY SAYS THE PENTAGON HAS LEARNED FROM ITS MISTAKES AND
IMPROVED COMPUTER TRACKING OF MEDICAL RECORDS, HIRED OUTSIDE
SCIENTISTS TO REVIEW THE PROGRAM AND USES A VACCINE WITH A LONG,
SAFE TRACK RECORD. SHE SAYS SEVEN SERVICE MEMBERS HAVE GOTTEN
MILDLY SICK AFTER THE INJECTIONS.
/// DR. BAILEY ACT///
WE HAVE HAD A REMARKABLY LOW ADVERSE REACTION RATE.
/// END ACT ///
WHILE SOME OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT
AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES FROM GERM WARFARE, THE PENTAGON
INSPECTOR GENERAL SAYS THERE IS A LOT MORE WORK TO DO. A RECENT
REPORT SAID MOST U-S MILITARY UNITS LACK THE TRAINING NEEDED TO
FIGHT EFFECTIVELY ON A CONTAMINATED BATTLEFIELD. THE REPORT SAID
MANY SOLDIERS WOULD DIE NEEDLESSLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T USE
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PROPERLY. AND THE REPORT SAYS TOO MUCH OF
THE CURRENT TRAINING RELIES ON INEFFECTIVE CLASSROOM LECTURES
RATHER THAN REALISTIC FIELD EXERCISES. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WDC/JO
14-Aug-98 4:10 PM EDT (2010 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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