Should my doctor prescribe preventive antibiotics against anthrax, plague or other bioterrorist threats?

No unusual illnesses or deaths suggestive of bioterrorism have been reported in the metro area. Therefore, preventive antibiotics are not needed at this time for anthrax, plague or any other bioterrorist threat, and public health officials at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend against prescribing them. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to unnecessary harmful side effects, the development of antibiotic-resistant organisms, and a false sense of protection.

The CDC has stockpiled critical antibiotics and other vaccines ready for local distribution to affected populations within hours if needed.