Posted on 10/08/2001 1:22:24 AM PDT by matcrazy
Officials: Anthrax Shown in Co-Worker
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Anthrax has been detected in a co-worker of a man who died after contracting a rare inhaled form of the disease and tests at the building where both worked have found evidence of the bacterium, authorities said.
A nasal swab from the man, whose name was not immediately made public, tested positive for the anthrax bacterium, Tim O'Conner, regional spokesman for the Florida Department of Health, said Monday.
It was not yet clear if anthrax had spread to his lungs or if he had a full-blown case of the disease. The man was in stable condition at an unidentified hospital, according to both the Florida and North Carolina health departments.
His co-worker, Bob Stevens, had recently visited North Carolina. Stevens died Friday, the first person in 25 years in the United States to have died from an inhaled form of anthrax.
News that Stevens had contracted the disease set off fears of bio-terrorism, especially when it was revealed that Middle Eastern men were believed to have recently visited an airfield about 40 miles from Stevens' home in Lantana and asked questions about crop-dusters.
O'Conner said he couldn't say that the second case was related to terrorism. ``That would take a turn in the investigation,'' said O'Conner. ``It's a different aspect, we were thinking more of environmental sources.''
Stevens, 63, was a photo editor at the supermarket tabloid The Sun. Environmental tests performed at the Sun's offices in Boca Raton have detected the anthrax bacteria, said O'Conner.
The Sun's offices have been closed off and law enforcement, local and state health and CDC officials were to take additional samples from the building on Monday, O'Conner said.
About 300 people who work in the building are being contacted by the Sun and instructed not come to work Monday and undergo antibiotic treatment to prevent the disease.
The FBI was helping in the search for the source of the bacterium, said Miami FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela. But ``the current risk of anthrax is extremely low,'' O'Conner said.
It was unclear when the final tests would tell whether or not the second man has anthrax. The bacterium normally has an incubation period of up to seven days, but could take up to 60 days to develop, O'Conner said.
``We're waiting for additional testing to see if it will become a confirmed case of anthrax or not,'' said Barbara Reynolds, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. ``I realize for the public this is going to be a very slight distinction.''
Michael Kahane, vice president and general counsel of American Media Inc., which publishes the Sun and two other tabloids, the Globe and the National Enquirer, confirmed the company closed its Boca Raton building at the request of state health officials.
``We are cooperating with the department of health and all other governmental agencies investigating this matter,'' he said Monday. ``Obviously our first concern is the health and well-being of our employees and their families.''
Only 18 inhalation cases in the United States were documented in the 20th century, the most recent in 1976 in California. State records show the last anthrax case in Florida was in 1974.
Officials believe Stevens contracted anthrax naturally in Florida. The disease can be contracted from farm animals or soil, though the bacterium is not normally found among wildlife or livestock in the state. Stevens was described as an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and gardening.
County medical examiners are looking over any unexplained deaths, but have not found any cases connected to anthrax. Veterinarians have been told to be on alert for animals who might have the disease, but none have turned up.
Health officials are checking intensive care units of area hospitals to check records going back 30 days for suspicious cases. They should be finished Monday, said O'Conner.
In another thread, someone said it was reported that the official weapon grade version was something that was beyond the ability of Iraq or similar countries to manufacture, but they could easily culture large quantites of "regular" anthrax, and work the spores into the small size necessary for use as a weapon.
Officials: Anthrax Shown in Co-Worker
Officials: Anthrax Shown in Co-Worker BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Anthrax has been detected in a co-worker of a man who died after contracting a rare inhaled form of the disease and tests at the building where both worked have found evidence of the bacterium, authorities said. A nasal swab from the man, whose name was not immediately made public, tested positive for the anthrax bacterium, Tim O'Conner, regional spokesman for the Florida Department of Health, said Monday. It was not yet clear if anthrax had spread to his lungs or if he had a full-blown case of the disease. ...
9326489 posted on 10/08/2001 01:22:24 PDT by matcrazy
DBMD - Anthrax - General Information Anthrax Frequently Asked Questions What is anthrax? Why has anthrax become a current issue? How common is anthrax and who can get it? How is anthrax transmitted? What are the symptoms of anthrax? Where is anthrax usually found? Can anthrax be spread from person-to-person? Is there a way to prevent infection? What is the anthrax vaccine? Who should get vaccinated against anthrax? What is the protocol for anthrax vaccination? Are there adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine? How is anthrax diagnosed? Is there a treatment for anthrax? Where can I get ...
9326438 posted on 10/08/2001 01:13:49 PDT by ambrose
Sorry, but I don't have the source for this. My sister reported that she read on the Internet that a source out of South America is reporting that anthrax has been introduced in Los Angeles. Any information?
9326373 posted on 10/08/2001 01:02:41 PDT by wayne_shrugged
Previous article : Second Anthrax case in FL. CDC, FBI on scene. Bush notified Second positive test for anthrax foun Just spoke with the NEWS desk at WPEC NEWS 12 newsdesk ... here is what they know. They HAVE CONFIRMED that the second individual has TESTED POSITIVE for Anthrax in a nasal swab test so that he has been exposed. He is being treated with antibiotics They are testing the building. The number at the office is 1-800-310-WPEC. You can confirm it yourself by pressing option 2 at the prompt. Officials: Tests Show Presence of Anthrax in Second Florida Man ...
9326310 posted on 10/08/2001 00:53:45 PDT by Centurion2000
Officials: Tests Show Presence of Anthrax in Second Florida Man By Amanda Riddle Associated Press Writer Published: Oct 8, 2001 BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) - Preliminary tests show the presence of anthrax in a second Florida man, but it was not yet clear if he has a full-blown case of the disease that killed one of his co-workers last week, officials said early Monday. A nasal swab from the man, whose name was not immediately made public, tested positive for the bacteria that causes anthrax, said Tim O'Conner, regional spokesman for the Florida Department of Health. O'Conner said he couldn't ...
9326096 posted on 10/08/2001 00:22:48 PDT by STARWISE
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) - Preliminary tests show the presence of anthrax in a second Florida man, but it was not yet clear if he has a full-blown case of the disease that killed one of his co-workers last week, officials said early Monday. A nasal swab from the man, whose name was not immediately made public, tested positive for the bacteria that causes anthrax, said Tim O'Conner, regional spokesman for the Florida Department of Health. O'Conner said he couldn't say that the second case was related to terrorism. "That would take a turn in the investigation," said O'Conner. "It's ...
9325610 posted on 10/07/2001 23:26:49 PDT by Keith in Iowa
Previous article : Second Anthrax case in FL. CDC, FBI on scene. Bush notified Second positive test for anthrax found. Just spoke with the NEWS desk at WPEC NEWS 12 newsdesk ... here is what they know. They HAVE CONFIRMED that the second individual has TESTED POSITIVE for Anthrax in a nasal swab test so that he has been exposed. He is being treated with antibiotics They are testing the building. The number at the office is 1-800-310-WPEC. You can confirm it yourself by pressing option 2 at the prompt.
9325386 posted on 10/07/2001 23:06:16 PDT by Centurion2000
Breaking news on Palm Beach County TV. Office building housing 300 employees closed. Bob Stevens died Friday from airborne anthrax. One of his co-workers in Boca Raton has tested positive. The Emergency Center in PBC is full of reporters.
9324512 posted on 10/07/2001 22:07:41 PDT by LarryLied
No they don't.
If you don't know what you're talking about... then don't pretend to.
They are a threat to every living person on this planet.
When attempting to control a dread disease, the best course of action is to eradicate the vector.
They have decided that they want to be the vector.
It is damned curious that anthrax bacteria are found at the 'offices' of a tabloid newspaper.
Another possibilty is that a reporter could be playing with fire(anthrax) for a story.
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