Anthrax is not a likely threat here

Local officials are advising residents to take reasonable, common-sense precautions, but not to panic, in response to national concerns about bioterrorism, particularly anthrax.

According to local officials, all of this region of the country, including Alleghany County, is one of the lowest threat areas for any type of bioterrorism, including letters containing anthrax. In other words, citizens here are in much more danger from snake bites and lightning strikes than from bioterrorism, a fact that many are overlooking.

However, Alleghany County’s emergency, law enforcement and health personnel are coordinating their preparedness to respond in case of a bioterrorism incident.

"At this point, we have nothing that's led us to believe that there is true evidence of any proven cases," said Eva Wooten, Alleghany's public health nursing supervisor. "The county agencies are prepared (if) we have a case. We are prepared to respond with the appropriate protocols to protect the general public. But we are in one of the lowest-risk areas in North Carolina."

Similarly, Emergency Management Coordinator Gerald Leftwich said, "To my knowledge, we haven't been exposed to any envelopes with any suspicious residue in them yet. We are prepared to respond should we have one.... "We had some questions from people. We went and checked it out."

Leftwich cited stories he has heard about people who became jittery after seeing powder on a diaper-changing station in a public restroom. "That's an example of fear and anxiety in people that needs to be calmed down," he said.

Leftwich pointed to an information website that noted that terrorists have not — and are not likely to — target unknown individuals in rural areas. "Why would anyone want to spend the time and money necessary to send anthrax to a small area?" Leftwich noted. "It isn't likely. If we do get hit with something like this, it will most likely be a stray bullet. We don't have much to worry about, but still, we will be ready just in case."

Sheriff Mike Caudill echoed those sentiments, noting that his department has responded to a few calls.

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