U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Wednesday that the nation is ready to contain any bio-terrorist attack and urged people not to be frightened.
The secretary said there is no need to stockpile gas masks or antibiotics, but Americans should be on the lookout for any mysterious symptoms and see a doctor promptly if they have any.
"People should not be scared into believing they need to buy gas masks. And people should not be frightened into hoarding medicine and food. There is nothing we know of to warrant such actions," Thompson said at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee.
"Be very vigilant about your activities and anything suspicious, " Thompson said when asked what people should do to guard their health.
He assured senators that his agency could quickly dispatch the proper medical authorities to contain and treat any outbreak from an attack. "I am absolutely assured we could respond to any contingency," he said.
The secretary said he is seeking 800 million dollars more this year to fill the gaps in the health system. Most of the money would go to state and local health departments, to train local physicians and laboratories in recognizing symptoms of anthrax, smallpox and other worrisome agents.
(Xinhua News Agency 10/04/2001)
