Reply #21: NBC 4 news article

[journalist3072]

Sensors Detect Possible Disease Agent During Protests
Bacterium Not Contagious

POSTED: 8:55 pm EDT September 30, 2005
UPDATED: 9:10 pm EDT September 30, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Officials said that air sensors on the National Mall detected a possible disease agent last weekend during the Iraq war demonstrations.

Health officials said the sensors showed signs of a low level presence of Tularemia bacterium. Tularemia can be treated with antibiotics and is not contagious.

Slideshow: Images From Protest | Video

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerted state health officials in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. But officials said no one has reported symptoms of the disease, and subsequent air tests have come back negative.

D.C. Department of Health Director Dr. Gregg Pane told WTOP Radio the city was notified Friday that a Department of Homeland Security air sensor detected the biohazard. Officials said Tularemia is found naturally in the environment.

Health officials are encouraging doctors to be on alert for any signs of the disease. Symptoms include sudden fever, chills, headaches, joint pain and pneumonia.

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http://www.nbc4.com/news/5044125/detail.html