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18/10/2001
Health officials declare anthrax scare a hoax
Health officials have declared that the recent spate of anthrax scares in Belfast and Derry were hoaxes.
Results of routine samples sent for laboratory analysis indicate that the powder present in a number of suspicious packages sent through the post did not contain anthrax.
It is understood that almost 60 people in the province were treated with antibiotics amid fears that they may have come into contact with packages believed to be contaminated with anthrax.
The discovery of further suspicious packages caused alerts at both the Mallusk and Tomb Street postal sorting offices where work was temporarily halted so that appropriate precautions could be taken.
On Wednesday Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell, stressed the risk of what she described as “bioterrorism” in the province remained “low”.
Dr Campbell expressed concerned about the potential impact that “hoaxes and false alarms could have in terms of diverting the emergency services away from essential and life-saving work”.
However, she said: “It is reassuring that procedures have been followed in all of the cases so far and that potentially contaminated scenes have been quickly and effectively decontaminated. Activity has been closely co-ordinated across the emergency services in terms of decontamination, transport of potential victims and the transport of samples for testing.
“We recognise that the decontamination procedures are potentially distressing and that these incidents can be frightening for those at the scene. However, our primary concern must be the safety of the public.”
Dr Campbell said that there were sufficient stocks of vaccines and antibiotics in the province, but that as a precautionary measure additional stocks of both medicines and emergency clothing were being ordered. (SP)
Results of routine samples sent for laboratory analysis indicate that the powder present in a number of suspicious packages sent through the post did not contain anthrax.
It is understood that almost 60 people in the province were treated with antibiotics amid fears that they may have come into contact with packages believed to be contaminated with anthrax.
The discovery of further suspicious packages caused alerts at both the Mallusk and Tomb Street postal sorting offices where work was temporarily halted so that appropriate precautions could be taken.
On Wednesday Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell, stressed the risk of what she described as “bioterrorism” in the province remained “low”.
Dr Campbell expressed concerned about the potential impact that “hoaxes and false alarms could have in terms of diverting the emergency services away from essential and life-saving work”.
However, she said: “It is reassuring that procedures have been followed in all of the cases so far and that potentially contaminated scenes have been quickly and effectively decontaminated. Activity has been closely co-ordinated across the emergency services in terms of decontamination, transport of potential victims and the transport of samples for testing.
“We recognise that the decontamination procedures are potentially distressing and that these incidents can be frightening for those at the scene. However, our primary concern must be the safety of the public.”
Dr Campbell said that there were sufficient stocks of vaccines and antibiotics in the province, but that as a precautionary measure additional stocks of both medicines and emergency clothing were being ordered. (SP)
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19 October 2001
Fresh anthrax alert in County Antrim
A fresh anthrax alert has been reported in Northern Ireland in the wake of five cases which were identified as hoaxes this week. The Royal Ulster Constabulary have said a household at Windsor Crescent in Whitehead, County Antrim, received three envelopes containing some form of powder on Thursday October 18.
Fresh anthrax alert in County Antrim
A fresh anthrax alert has been reported in Northern Ireland in the wake of five cases which were identified as hoaxes this week. The Royal Ulster Constabulary have said a household at Windsor Crescent in Whitehead, County Antrim, received three envelopes containing some form of powder on Thursday October 18.
02 September 2004
University stages disaster simulation exercise
The University of Ulster has helped showcase a disaster simulation exercise to show how nurses would cope in the face of a bio-chemical attack in the province.
University stages disaster simulation exercise
The University of Ulster has helped showcase a disaster simulation exercise to show how nurses would cope in the face of a bio-chemical attack in the province.
05 September 2002
Disaster Relief Nurses train for biological attack
As President George Bush contemplates the case for war against Iraq and reports of a US military build up in the Middle East gather apace, at least one ally in the 'war against terror' will be preparing for disaster.
Disaster Relief Nurses train for biological attack
As President George Bush contemplates the case for war against Iraq and reports of a US military build up in the Middle East gather apace, at least one ally in the 'war against terror' will be preparing for disaster.
26 October 2001
Nurses to learn more about bio-terrorism
The University of Ulster has announced that one of the nurse training courses offered is to be expanded to include clinical aspects of bio-terrorism. As part of the disaster relief course, the University is to increase the content of the bio-terrorism training given to nurses in the wake of the anthrax outbreak in the US.
Nurses to learn more about bio-terrorism
The University of Ulster has announced that one of the nurse training courses offered is to be expanded to include clinical aspects of bio-terrorism. As part of the disaster relief course, the University is to increase the content of the bio-terrorism training given to nurses in the wake of the anthrax outbreak in the US.
17 October 2001
Powder sent through post sparks anthrax alerts
Packages containing white powder have sparked emergency clear-up operations in Belfast and Londonderry amid fears that they may contain anthrax. On Wednesday morning, hundreds of staff were evacuated from the Civic Offices in Londonderry’s Strand Road when staff reported opening a letter containing a white powder.
Powder sent through post sparks anthrax alerts
Packages containing white powder have sparked emergency clear-up operations in Belfast and Londonderry amid fears that they may contain anthrax. On Wednesday morning, hundreds of staff were evacuated from the Civic Offices in Londonderry’s Strand Road when staff reported opening a letter containing a white powder.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
