Science News Archive

Why Anthrax Is Not Entirely the Weapon of Choice

Letters containing white anthrax powder have claimedseveral lives in America, and have brought New York to a standstill as effectively as suicidal aeroplanes. But this is an epidemic of fear rather than infections because in reality anthrax is not a very effective biological weapon. The germ cannot be passed onto anyone else - it is not infectious. And, once detected, it can easily be cleared up by antibiotics. Instead of "Anthrax - licensed to kill" it's more like "Anthrax, licensed to cause a mild, non-contagious skin infection easily cleared up by a course of tablets".

27th Oct 2001