(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
While the media is flooded with scare stories about letters with white powder and the fear of bioterror is spreading, Norwegian experts are dramatizing the danger of anthrax epidemics in Norway – and the rest of the world.
Anthrax bacteria – or anthrax – are a common commodity; did you know that, asks head of research Bjørn Petter Berdal at the Armed Forces' microbiological lab in Oslo (FML), as if to emphasize how undramatic this is.
- We can easily order anthrax to our lab, he adds.
Berdal is no longer impressed by the media's enthusiasm for the fear of biological terror, especially the current anthrax fire.
"We do not need a Saddam Hussein to spread fear, when we have American newspapers," he said, referring to how the Iraqi dictator was given abilities he did not have to spread biological terror.
- Are we?
However, the head of research points out that anthrax, for example sent in envelopes, can function as what he calls point sabotage. But that anthrax should be able to trigger epidemics, he excludes:
- If anthrax spreads in the right way, it can be dangerous. But do you think the United States and Russia tell others how anthrax can be spread effectively?
Berdal believes that the fear is greatly exaggerated, after the danger of the Cold War is over, not least here in Norway.
- Firstly, Norway is no longer threatened by anyone, are we? Secondly, we have no enemies with the ability to spread anthrax, now that Russia has become kind. The probability of bioterror now is not greater than two years ago. Anthrax is mainly dangerous for animals, not for humans, Berdal states.
Many labs in Norway
They themselves do not research anthrax at the Armed Forces' microbiological lab, but Berdal himself says that Ny Tid has come to the right place when it comes to questions on this topic, and that FML has no problems diagnosing anthrax.
- There are many labs in Norway that have anthrax strains. At the high-tech center at the University of Oslo, they research the molecular structures, and at the Veterinary College they have a good idea of anthrax, says Berdal.
The Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI) at Kjeller also conducts research on biological weapons. Research director Bjørn Arne Johnsen tells Ny Tid that they are working with identification methods that can detect which bacteria may have infected humans.
- We do not do much research on anthrax. Since we do not have laboratories in class 3 – or P3-lab as it is called – we only research dead bacteria, Johnsen states.
- Not used with "success"
Among other things, FFI tests protective equipment in relation to anthrax and other bacteria, and emphasizes that anthrax is relatively resistant and can be dangerous to humans.
- But then you have to possess knowledge of spreading technique, which is not exactly widespread, considering that anthrax has not been used with "success" before, Johnsen points out.
- A pesticide aircraft that spreads anthrax from the air can be a current danger. But anthrax is more of a weapon of fear than a real threat. Other infectious diseases such as smallpox or plague are much more dangerous, he says, placing much of the blame for today's fear and panic on others than the anthrax bacterium itself:
- It is the media that has contributed to the scare.
Other diseases more dangerous
Lieutenant Colonel Dag Hjelle at the Armed Forces High Command (FO) also agrees that the media has raised the fear of anthrax.
- You do not need terrorists to get dangerous infections here in this country. Today, people travel across the globe. It is therefore a much greater threat that infectious diseases, such as multi-resistant tuberculosis, are brought to Norway. This is a threat that lies there constantly, says Hjelle, who is head of the Office for Medical Emergency Preparedness in the medical staff at FO.
Hjelle, who is a doctor, points out that although anthrax can be dangerous, the knowledge of how to spread it effectively prevents this from being a current threat.
- By sending a letter with anthrax, we are talking about what we call point estimates. This means that a few people can die. But epidemics are unrealistic. First, anthrax is very contagious. Moreover, no one has so far "succeeded" in spreading anthrax effectively. It is not just about flying away with a plane and spraying it into the air, he points out.
Isolate center
Hjelle is much more concerned that Norway currently does not have the capacity to isolate patients with unknown infectious diseases.
- We are therefore in a project where it has been decided to build an isolation center at Ullevål Hospital. The center will have ten patient places and a P4 lab where necessary equipment and expertise will make it possible to diagnose patients, says Hjelle.
According to the plan, the isolation center will not be completed until 2005, and the medical staff is involved because it has emergency preparedness responsibility in relation to biological weapons.
- This is not a Block Watne construction; These are complicated matters that take a long time to get built, says an impatient lieutenant colonel.
When it comes to anthrax, however, Hjelle believes that there is every reason to take the situation calmly.
