Article: Federal Officials Investigate Another U.S. Case of Anthrax

12 October 2001

Article: Federal Officials Investigate Another U.S. Case of Anthrax

Network television employee infected, receiving treatment

By Charlene Porter
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Federal officials said October 12 that a third case of anthrax has been confirmed in the United States. An employee of NBC television in New York City has been diagnosed with cutaneous anthrax, an infection of the skin. Investigating authorities are attempting to determine the source of the suspected infectious material.

The latest case is the third to be identified over the last week, a rate of occurrence that is very unusual in the United States, according to Attorney General John Ashcroft who joined Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson to brief reporters on the development.

The previous two cases both occurred at the headquarters of another media company -- American Media, Inc., a publisher of tabloid newspapers based in the state of Florida. One man died there as a result of exposure to an inhaled form of anthrax. Health authorities tested all other workers in the building and found two other cases of exposure. A white powder was detected on the computer keyboard of the deceased, and that substance is now being thoroughly analyzed.

"At this time, we do not have any evidence that links the anthrax case in Florida to the New York matter," Ashcroft said. "The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) offices are coordinating their efforts to bring their full investigative resources to bear." The Attorney General said he could draw no conclusion from the fact that employees of media organizations are the persons subject to exposure to this potentially fatal disease.

Ashcroft said the New York investigation is currently focused on a piece of mail received at the NBC television network on September 25. The employee has been under treatment, and is responding well. Health officials just completed the analysis on the infected skin tissue October 12 confirming the condition as anthrax.

"When a case arises, we act very quickly," Thompson said at the Washington briefing. "We take the precautions and we want to make sure that everybody understands we put public health protections number one -- first." Thompson said employees working in selected areas of the NBC building have the greatest risk for exposure and antibiotics have been administered to them.

The anthrax case at NBC is the only new one confirmed by federal authorities, but the Associated Press is reporting that a writer with the New York Times newspaper has received an envelope containing a suspicious white powdery substance. Health authorities are investigating the material, but so far, tests conducted on air quality in the building reveal nothing unusual. Ashcroft said at the Washington briefing he had no information on the New York Times incident.

An official with the United States Postal Service joined Thompson and Ashcroft at the briefing to advise the public about the proper precautions to be taken with unexpected or suspicious-looking mail. Ken Newman, the deputy chief postal inspector for investigations, urged citizens to be watchful with their mail, to note irregularities, and, if they do arise, to take precautionary measures.

"The Postal Service delivers 208 billion (208,000 million) pieces of mail each year. Presently, up until this time, we have not ever seen any real incident ... where actual biological hazards have been transmitted through the United States mails," Newman said.

Secretary Thompson also urged the public to avoid alarm about the unusual simultaneous occurrence of these cases of disease, which bear "no connection whatsoever at this point in time to any terrorist attack."