William Winkenwerder, Jr., MD, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs has announced the extension of the vaccination programs against anthrax to include U.S. forces in the Pacific Commands including Korea.
The Korean Defense ministry at the same time announced that it has been trying to procure anthrax vaccines from the U.S. over the last 3 years to no avail.
Anthrax is a bacterial disease transmitted to humans usually by contact with infected animals or their discharges (agricultural anthrax) or with contaminated animal products (industrial anthrax).
Anthrax can infect by inhalation or skin contact (cutaneous infection). It is treatable with antibiotics, primarily doxycycline and Cipro. If diagnosed early, the patient has a strong probability of full recovery. Anti-terrorism. Anti-terrorism efforts are preventive measures, such as judicial, legislative, security or military measures taken to reduce vulnerability to a terrorist attack, as contrasted with counter-terrorism measures, which are military, police and intelligence measures used to fight terrorism through pre-emptive or retaliatory measures.
Spores of Anthrax can be used in biological warfare. US Army personnel are now routinely vaccinated prior to active service in places where biological attacks are considered a threat. The anthrax vaccine, produced by BioPort Corporation, contains no live bacteria, and is approximately 93% effective in preventing infection. Anthrax vaccination is one of many factors suspected of causing Gulf War syndrome.