Anthrax Preparedness In US To Involve Mailmen

Earlier this week the US government announced measures to boost the nation's preparedness against a potentia outdoor anthrax attack: using letter carriers or mailmen on a voluntary basis to deliver supplies and medicines to residents in communities during an emergency.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, have used their authority under law to enable the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) that will allow eligible letter carriers to have medical kits with small amounts of antibiotics for themselves and their families to use in the event of an anthrax terrorist attack.

Should there be an outdoor anthrax attack, the antibiotics will protect emergency volunteers against the bacterium. The secretaries stressed that no imminent threat exists at the moment, but putting the legal framework in place now will ensure a speedy response is then possible if it should be needed. ... -  mednews