Britain tests workers for anthrax

Doctors have had guidance on diagnosis and treatment

Three people who worked in buildings in the United States where anthrax has been detected are being tested for the disease in Britain.

Two of them worked in Florida, one in New York. Their nationality has not been revealed.

The Public Health Service Laboratory said: "To date, three co-workers are known to be in the UK, two from the Florida building and one from the New York City Rockefeller Center building and are, on a precautionary basis, being tested here."

The news comes with the UK Government carrying out a continuing review of Britain's ability to cope with chemical or biological attacks.

Strains of anthrax

Respiratory: Similar beginnings to flu but shock occurs between two and six days later - frequently fatal

Intestinal: Severe food poisoning type symptoms - up to 50% mortality

Cutaneous: Rarely painful skin lesion - fatal in one in 20 cases

The Department of Health (DoH) review will cover Britain's readiness to deal with a release of anthrax.

It follows the issue of new guidelines to doctors on how to diagnose and respond to the potentially lethal disease.

The DoH said: "Since 11 September we have reviewed all our plans for protecting the public and dealing with public health emergencies, including how to deal with a deliberate anthrax release.

"We will go on reviewing and renewing those plans."

The statement stressed there was "no specific, credible risk in the UK".

But the department has a strong commitment to being vigilant and suitably prepared.

New guidelines

Since the US terrorist attacks, the DoH has been "actively discussing its anthrax contingency plans with emergency planning managers and directors of public health at regional level and local level".

Contingency plans for bio-terrorism have been drawn up

On Friday the PHLS produced new guidelines for doctors on dealing with any anthrax cases.

A spokesman for the government agency said that the advice had been drawn up by its own experts.

"We want to ensure that public health professionals have advice that is accurate, comprehensive and up to date about anthrax - the symptoms, signs and treatments," he said.