AR-News: (US MA) Pets could be warning signs of bioterrorism

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

MIKE GLOVER Associated Press Writer 04/12/2004



WORCESTER (AP) -- The first casualties of bioterrorism attack could be pets, 
not humans, says a state bioterrorism education coordinator who is touring 
Massachusetts to encourage people to learn how to recognize signs of diseases in 
animals. 

Recognizing the signs in animals could help officials respond to an attack 
before it becomes a serious outbreak, Maxene R. Armour, bioterrorism education 
coordinator for the Department of Agricultural Resources, said.

 
"A biological release of an organism for terrorist purposes might not be 
recognized right away, unlike a chemical release," Armour said. "It could be days 
or weeks before something’s recognized."

Armour is holding public forums around the state to raise awareness, and also 
to encourage communities to develop plans for what to do with animals in case 
of an emergencies, whether manmade or natural disaster.




full story:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11292087&BRD=1710&PAG=461&dept_id=99
697&rfi=6 
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