I've been following an "unprecedented outbreak" of anthrax in Saskatchewan -which those of us who are "geographically challenged" (present company included) will probably need to be reminded is a large,fairly rural province of Canada , which borders on Montana and North Dakota.(There have been one or two cases in Montana as well.)
The outbreak has been "agricultural" , and so far , the only known victims have been cattle,goats,deer,and buffalo. One human , a veterinarian ,sustained a "skin contact" lesion - despite precautions on his part - but received prompt treatment and is making satisfactory recovery.
Anthrax outbreaks are nothing new in this area, and are quite likely to occur during periods of near-drought (which the region has been experiencing.) Quite typically, anthrax spores - dormant in the soil - are exposed when cud-chewing animals crop drought-stricken grass very close : thus exposing potentially infected soil.
What makes this outbreak alarming is the scale and speed with which it is happening . Farming areas - many,many miles apart are having nearly simultaneous outbreaks ,affecting hundreds of animals.
I'm going to suggest you go back to the map and locate these regions:
Prince Albert District, Wynard District,Yorkton District,Moose Jaw,Swift Current,and Saskatoon.
Within each of these regions, you will find smaller areas : each of which has one or more "outbreak sites". There are 147 premises affected so far.
The latest report may be obtained at Pro-Med, of which I am a Subscribing Member.
The real question here is : Is this a natural (if unusual) outbreak...or has somebody been "practicing" the fine art of Bio-agent dissemination - and conducting a little Agro-terrorism on the side ?
I've heard people say " Nobody would dare to do such a thing. We'd nuke them !"
Assume for the moment there is an act of Bio-terrorism in progress - right next door -right now. Assume also you have that "red button" on your desk, and are in a position to retaliate at will against those responsible.
Who is responsible ? Thinking back 5 years to the Anthrax Murders , are you ever likely to find out ? Shouldn't you be thinking about antibiotics instead of bombs ?
Welcome to the "wonderful world" of Bio-warfare !
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