Well, Oxford, CT is now on the map! I guess they don't know where this 94 year old woman contracted anthrax, but of course the first guess is the post office. Oxford doesn't even have its own post office - all mail goes through Seymour, the next town. Funny thing, I never ever go to that post office, but for reasons I won't bother to explain had to go there TWICE last week. Someone posed the point that anthrax can be caught from livestock, like sheep. There are quite a few sheep and goats in this town. Can't say I'm really scared, but we'll see what happens in the next few weeks.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), November 21, 2001

Answers

Response to Greetings from Oxford, CT

I heard on the radio about her dieing, was really weird, the only reason her death was mentioned on the radio was because of her age and location.

Yes, anthrax can be transmitted from the hair on livestock like cows, horses, sheep and goats. I would not be too concerned by the livestock as its not that prevelant. I sure hope folks who are not savvy about farming wuill not create a witch hunt to eradicate animals. That could lead to some serious food shortages and not to mention a mess. I did read recently about a horse dieing and the cougars from anthrax in CA. They traced it to the horse, apparently the horse ahd a open sore from a old saddle rubbing, so the owners got a sheepskin blanket for under the saddle. The cause they determined was anthrax on the hair of sheep in Afghastain. Now that was freaky. We have had anthrax in this country for yrs according to the article, also deer can carry it too, however, no deaths to humans have happened from animals with it.

I sure hope that folks like the ones whom you talked to don't get on a witch hunt and lobby to kill our livestock. I would hope ya'll would do more research before going on a witch hunt! Sorry for sounding so harsh, but we are farmers and rely on our goats for income. I can however understand your concerns and being scared as its close to home for you.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), November 21, 2001.

Response to Greetings from Oxford, CT

Hi Christina..

I never lived in Oxford. But I lived sort of near. And I went to Reverdy Munson, the Vet, for ages. This was a long time ago.

It's spooky what happened in your town. I've read the CT papers online and they are still clueless as to the cause. Maybe we are more aware now? Maybe it happens more frequently in nature? The gov deemed it domestic terrorism in a Hartford Courant bit.

We shall see..

-- pc (jasper2@doglover.com), November 21, 2001.

I can not help but wonder if it would not have just been diagnosed as pnemonia a year ago. Perhaps it has been more common that we thought?? Just a thought. Elderly are the most vulnerable to this sort of thing. Under ordinary circumstances anthrax would not even been considered.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), November 22, 2001.