Because of similarities between the symptoms of the flu and anthrax, the Health and Human Services Secretary is urging vaccine makers to speed up production of the flu vaccine.

Many Utah doctors are more concerned about the fear of anthrax than the disease itself. News Specialist Stacey Butler has more.

Phone calls have poured into LDS Hospital from people concerned about their dry coughs, fatigue, and fevers. All symptoms of the flu...and of anthrax.

Dr. Larry Wright/LDS Hospital Infectious Disease Division: "THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLING WHO HAVE A COLD OR FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS WITH NO HISTORY THAT WOULD SUGGEST THEY'VE BEEN A VICTIM OF EXPOSURE TO ANTHRAX."

And flu season hasn't even officially started.

One reason the Secretary of Health and Human Services is meeting with flu vaccine makers in the nation's capitol to find out why they're behind in the production of flu shots and to urge them to produce more and quickly.

Local Emergency Room doctors along the Wasatch Front are concerned that come flu season, many may not discern between anthrax and the flu.

Dr. Bill Hamilton/LDS Hospital Medical Director "OUR CONCERN IS THAT WE MIGHT BECOME OVERWHELMED WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO REALLY DON'T HAVE ANTHRAX, BUT MAY COME TO THE E.R. WANTING TO BE CHECKED OUT."

Monday local leaders in the medical field gathered for a bioterrorism conference to discuss the threat of anthrax in Utah. The message?

Dr. Martin Caravati/Univ. of Utah Hospital, Toxicology "FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THAT THERE REALLY IS CURRENTLY NO RISK."

Already the Salt Lake County Health Department has investigated more than 50 false alarms.

A study just released by the Utah State Mental Health Department suggests that the fears stemming from terrorism may ultimately be much more damaging than the disease itself. Saying quote: "Unlike other health problems, mental health consequences will increase and intensify with the passage of time." A notion that has health care professionals concerned.

Dr. Larry Wright/LDS Hospital Infectious Disease Div:"...CREATE FEAR AND ANXIETY, THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST THREAT TO OVERWHELM THE MEDICAL SYSTEM."

Stacey Butler/Eyewitness News "DOCTORS ARE URGING THE PUBLIC TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP FROM THEIR PRIMARY DOCTOR IF THEY HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS IN THE COMING MONTHS, AND AVOID GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. BUT IF YOU LEGITAMATELY SUSPECT ANTHRAX, EXPOSURE LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM STAFF ARE NOW BEING TRAINED IN HOW TO TREAT IT."

More Info

Beginning November 1 flu shots will be available to the general public. For information call:

• Community Nursing Services
  1-800-486-2186

• State Health Dept.
  801-538-9450

• Salt Lake Valley Immunization Information Line
  534-4693

• Flu Facts From CDC