Officials tested with simulated anthrax outbreak

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - 22 deaths and 85 people affected by an anthrax outbreak on Guam. Fortunately, it's just part of the full-scale exercise Operation Pa'ti.  Public Health preparedness manager Patrick Lujan says the three day event puts GovGuam agencies and responders to the test with the simulated anthrax attack.

"This is the worst-case scenario that we're playing out here, so we have for vaccinations or any kind of pandemics, we have time to prepare for this," Lujan explained. "In this case, with anthrax, we don't have much time. We have to work quickly within a matter of 24 to 48 hours."

The exercise wraps-up tomorrow as government officials look at areas that need improving and identifying what partnerships are necessary should a real attack happen on Guam.