The Eugene Police Department held an emergency press conference Friday to dispel the fears of Eugene citizens who are worried about contracting the infectious disease anthrax.
Eugene Police Chief Jim Hill said the department received an increase in calls Friday from people concerned about coming in contact with anthrax.
“People have been noticing powdery substances and wondering if it could be anthrax,” Hill said. “We’re here to dispel some of their fears.”
With Hill was Dr. Geoff Simmons, a representative of 700 doctors in Lane County, and FBI Agent Mike Morrow, who is in charge of the Eugene office of the FBI.
Simmons said that an anthrax infection resembles the flu, with symptoms appearing anywhere from one to 45 days after contact has been made. He said if a person is experiencing flu symptoms at this time, they should see their doctor for a nose culture to determine if anthrax is the cause for the symptoms.
“There is no room for panic,” Simmons said. “If there is a probability that anthrax is in Eugene, the federal government will become involved.”
Simmons also said there are at least four antibiotics — in addition to a vaccine — available to treat the disease. It is also the most treatable of all biological weapons.
Oregon has a low threat level for anthrax to begin with, said Morrow.
“There is no information to suggest that there are any targets in Oregon,” Morrow said. “People should not be in panic mode.”
Morrow said the best thing for people to do is be aware. If you can’t identify a piece of mail, don’t open it, he said.
EPD spokeswoman Pam Alejandre said the EPD communication center has been overwhelmed with calls, and that people need to keep the threat in perspective when calling.
None of the reports so far have turned out to be an anthrax case, she said.
The EPD and FBI will both continue to be available for reports of suspicious articles or occurrences, Hill said.
“We want to reassure the community that we’re working with the FBI and local health officials when dealing with this threat,” Hill said. “We want people to be paying attention, but is unlikely that Eugene is a target.”
Simmons suggests that since the flu has not yet hit Eugene this season, residents experiencing muscle aches, fever, headaches or fatigue should visit their doctor or the urgent care unit of Sacred Heart Medical Center.