18 October 2001
Transcript: Administration Officials Discuss Anthrax Situation in U.S.
(Ridge, Ashcroft, Mueller, others briefed at Old EOB Oct. 18) (10640)
While "thousands and thousands and thousands" of people in the United
States have been tested for anthrax exposure, only five have been
infected and a sixth possible infection is being evaluated, the
nation's newly installed Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said at
an October 18 White House briefing on the anthrax situation.
Joining him at the briefing were Attorney General John Ashcroft,
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller, and officials
from the Postal Service, the Centers for Disease Control, the Office
of the Surgeon General and the Defense Department.
Ridge mentioned the five previously confirmed cases of anthrax
infection: two in Florida, including one who died; and three in New
York -- an NBC assistant to Tom Brokaw; the infant son of an ABC
producer; and the CBS assistant to Dan Rather.
"We're in the process of confirming a sixth" case, Ridge said, but
would not elaborate.
Two of the five cases, he said, are diagnosed as inhalation anthrax,
the other three are diagnosed as cutaneous (skin) anthrax.
Of the two with inhalation anthrax, "one gentleman unfortunately
passed away," Ridge said, but "the other is expected to make a full
recovery," as are the three diagnosed cases of cutaneous anthrax.
In the U.S. Senate, a total of 31 individuals have tested
preliminarily positive for possible exposure and will be evaluated
further, Ridge said. "Apparently, these 31 individuals most of the
time were confined, or had their office, or did their work, on the
fifth or sixth floor of the Hart Building," where the letter addressed
to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle containing anthrax was opened.
Ridge said the latest information on the anthrax situation can be
found on the three government websites -- The Center for Disease
Control at www.cdc.gov, the Department of Health and Human Services at
www.hhs.gov, and the FBI at www.fbi.gov.
Attorney General Ashcroft said that "We have two priorities. First, to
use the information we have about these cases to do what we can to
prevent further harm. Second, we are aggressively searching for the
source of the bacteria and for the person or people responsible for
the criminal acts of dispersing and sending these bacteria in the
mail.
"Unfortunately, this week, in addition to the continuing investigation
into the September 11th attacks and the anthrax cases, the FBI and
United States Attorneys have also been investigating numerous hoaxes.
People who use this time in our country as an opportunity to compound
the concern of Americans through hoaxes will pay a serious price,
because we intend to prosecute these offenses to the fullest extent of
the law."
"The message is clear," Ashcroft said - "anyone who participates in or
perpetrates a false threat of anthrax, or a false threat of another
kind, will be prosecuted by federal, state, and local officials. We
are working carefully with state and local officials in this respect.
Many of our states have very serious and substantial legal frameworks
to prosecute such individuals as well."
FBI Director Mueller said he was pleased to join with Postmaster
General Jack Potter to announce a reward of up to $1 million for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible
for terrorist acts of mailing anthrax.
"This reward continues the strong partnership between the FBI and the
postal authorities in tracking down criminals who use our mail system
to further their illegal deeds," Mueller said.
Postmaster General Potter said the U.S. Postal Service would mail
within the next week "a postcard to everyone in America" outlining
what they should be suspicious of in mail they receive, and said more
information can be found on the Post Office website, www.usps.com.
"My message to the American public is to remain calm, be vigilant, be
aware of what you get in the mail. And as the President has said,
heightened awareness right now is what we are asking all of America to
do. Yes, we believe the mail is safe. It is very safe if you are
prudent, and if you follow the simple directions that we're asking you
to follow."
Following is the White House transcript:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
October 18, 2001
PRESS BRIEFING ON HOMELAND SECURITY BY GOVERNOR TOM RIDGE; ATTORNEY
GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT; SURGEON GENERAL DAVID SATCHER; POSTMASTER
GENERAL JACK POTTER; FBI DIRECTOR ROBERT MUELLER; CDC DIRECTOR MITCH
COHEN; DEPUTY SURGEON GENERAL KEN MORITSUGU; AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY
OF DEFENSE-DESIGNATE WILLIAM WINKENWERDER
Presidential Hall
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
10:05 A.M. EDT
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Good morning. This briefing will be the first of many
opportunities that we will have to discuss homeland security and our
government's response efforts. The President has made it very clear
that he wants to provide the American people as much accurate
information as we can, as soon as we can. I intend to hold regular
briefings with government experts and relevant officials.
Since September 11th, our government has worked so well together --
both at the federal, state, and local, public and private sectors. The
American people can have confidence that their government is working
around the clock to protect them. Our government is more coordinated
than ever.
We want to use today's briefing to update Americans on the current
anthrax situation. Attorney General Ashcroft and FBI Director Mueller
will update you on their investigations, and new additional efforts on
the law enforcment front. Also present is the Surgeon General of the
United States, Dr. David Satcher, and Dr. Mitch Cohen, from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who will update you on
their ongoing testing. The Deputy Surgeon General is also with us
today. He is working directly with the FBI and other key officials on
the anthrax detection at the U.S. Capitol.
The Postmaster General is here today as well, and will brief the
American people on ways to ensure the safety of their mail. And
finally, Major General Gerry Parker from the U.S. Army Surgeon
General's Office is here to discuss the U.S. Army's Medical Research
Institute for Infectious Disease efforts to support the anthrax
situation at the U.S. Capitol.
While the federal government is more coordinated than ever, we are
also working hand-in-hand with state and local governments. We are in
constant contact with doctors and health care professionals, law
enforcement officials, governors, mayors, city council leaders, and
many others, to determine ways to protect our homeland and respond to
potential threats. Later today, administration officials, including
myself, will be briefing representatives from state, local, and county
governments. I will report their feedback to the President to ensure
that we are serving their needs as effectively and efficiently as
possible.
Later today, Secretary Thompson, the CDC, and the Surgeon General will
also conduct a conference call with leading representatives of
organizations that represent doctors and other health care
professionals. We want to make absolutely certain we are getting
important information on anthrax prevention and detection as quickly
as possible to our health care experts all across this country.
Now, if I can, I would like to take just a few moments to bring you up
to date with the latest information on the anthrax situation. There is
a great deal of speculation out there. There is obvious concern to
most Americans -- all Americans. And instead of speculating, we would
like to focus on the facts.
First, thousands and thousands and thousands of people have been
tested for anthrax exposure, and thousands of environmental samples
have been taken as well. Yet only five people have tested positive at
this time for anthrax. I will tell you we are in the process of
confirming a sixth; we will get back to you with details on that
later.
But today, as of now, we have only five, out of those thousands that
have been tested for exposure. Only five actually have the disease.
Two of these cases have treated positive for inhalation anthrax. While
one gentleman unfortunately passed away, the other is expected to make
a full recovery.
Doctors and medical professionals are receiving regular health alerts,
and have timely access to the information they need, again, to respond
as quickly and as effectively as possible.
I want to take some time to review the latest facts from the different
anthrax situations. The only death at this point, as we all know,
sadly, has happened in Florida. We continue to say prayers for that
family and everyone who has been involved in this situation there and
around the country as well.
In Palm Beach County, one man has also been diagnosed with
inhalational anthrax disease, but he is on antibiotics and he is
expected to recover. There has also been one confirmed case of
exposure in Palm Beach County; however, she has recovered and she has
returned to work.
An NBC employee -- now we're going to New York. An NBC employee has
tested positive for cutaneous anthrax. But because of the quick
diagnosis by her physician, she was placed on antibiotics and is
expected to make a full recovery. No other cases at the NBC building
have been reported. In fact, an intern who likely handled the
suspicious letter has tested negative for anthrax.
After we learned of the NBC exposure, the federal government and the
New York state and local officials immediately took preventive action
to investigate other media outlets in New York.
As you well know, regrettably, at ABC a seven-month-old infant has
tested positive for cutaneous anthrax disease. Our coordinated teams
continue to investigate exactly how the child came into contact with
the anthrax bacteria. But the child is also taking antibiotics, and
the child is doing well.
The ABC building is the focus of a rigorous investigation, and the New
York City Health Department has reported no other individuals with
symptoms of anthrax at the ABC building.
At CBS, an employee has tested positive for cutaneous anthrax. The
assistant has been placed on antibiotics and is expected, again, to
make a full recovery. I suspect you are familiar with the details of
this individual, but she had on October 1st noticed some swelling in
her face, went to visit with her physician. The physician, I think on
October 4th, gave her penicillin. With all the other activity with
regard to anthrax, she checked herself in with the city's health
department. Mayor Giuliani reports to me that she got Cipro at that
time and she is doing very well, and they expect her to make a full
recovery.
At Governor Pataki's office, out of prudence, the employees who worked
near a suspicious letter that may have been opened have been placed on
antibiotics as a precautionary measure until testing is completed.
In all of these cases in New York, the federal government, the CDC and
the FBI continue to investigate, to test, and to treat those who may
have been exposed.
Now finally, Washington, D.C. Currently, over 3,000 nasal swabs have
been taken -- over 3,000. And to be prudent, those tested have been
offered antibiotics until the nasal samples are analyzed.
A total of 31 individuals have tested preliminarily positive for
possible exposure and will be evaluated further. Apparently, these 31
individuals most of the time were confined, or had their office, or
did their work, on the fifth or sixth floor of the Hart Building.
As was announced yesterday, relevant federal agencies are working hand
in hand with Congress to further examine areas in the Capitol complex
to ensure the safety of the legislative branch and those who work in
it.
Finally, Nevada. The final test results for Nevada are in from the
CDC, and they are negative. However, additional samples are going to
be taken to ensure there is no threat.
Now, before my colleagues brief you further, I want to remind all
Americans that they can get the latest information from government
websites. The Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov. It's
accessible. It's called Health Alert. And there are questions and
answers that really give every citizen an opportunity to learn for his
or her self all they need to know about anthrax and about the work
that has been going on with the CDC.
The Department of Health and Human Services has anthrax tips as well,
and that site is www.hhs.gov. And of course, the FBI, www.fbi.gov.
All of us, beginning with the President, appreciate the extraordinary
patience of the American people during these extremely challenging
times. We will continue to hold regular briefings to ensure that the
American people have as much information as possible, as soon as
possible.
Now, I would like to turn the next segment of this briefing over to
Attorney General John Ashcroft.
GENERAL ASHCROFT: Thank you, Governor. The Justice Department and the
FBI are working closely with Health and Human Services, the CDC, the
Postal inspectors, and Capitol Hill police to investigate the anthrax
cases around the country in Florida, New York, and in Washington, D.C.
We have two priorities. First, to use the information we have about
these cases to do what we can to prevent further harm. Second, we are
aggressively searching for the source of the bacteria and for the
person or people responsible for the criminal acts of dispersing and
sending these bacteria in the mail.
Unfortunately, this week, in addition to the continuing investigation
into the September 11th attacks and the anthrax cases, the FBI and
United States Attorneys have also been investigating numerous hoaxes.
People who use this time in our country as an opportunity to compound
the concern of Americans through hoaxes will pay a serious price,
because we intend to prosecute these offenses to the fullest extent of
the law.
These acts are serious violations of the law and grotesque
transgressions of the public trust. False terrorist threats tax the
resources of an already overburdened enforcement system, and they also
tax the public health system. They create illegitimate alarm in a time
of legitimate concern.
Terrorism hoaxes are not victimless crimes, but are the destructive
acts of cowards. Making a threat is a federal offense, even if the
person making the threat doesn't have the intention or the ability to
carry out the threat. The law clearly prohibits the mailing of
communications which, and I quote, "contain any threat to injure the
person of the addressee or of another."
This offense carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. The law
also prohibits the threatened use of a biological toxin. This offense
carries a penalty of up to life in prison and a potential for very
serious fines. Individuals may also receive up to five years in prison
for lying to law enforcement officials.
This week, we have already charged four people in connection with
false anthrax threats, and we are working with state and local
officials to prosecute additional cases. Two individuals lied to
federal authorities about their knowledge of or involvement with a
hoax. Two others falsely threatened to use biological weapons of mass
destructions.
Just yesterday, the United States Attorney in Rhode Island charged
William Silvia of Portsmouth with mailing a threatening communication.
According to an affidavit supporting the complaint, Silvia last week
mailed a letter to a person in Lincoln that purported to contain
anthrax. It actually contained talcum powder, but the threat caused
the recipient to call 911, triggering an emergency response and
investigations by state and federal law enforcement.
The message is clear: anyone who participates in or perpetrates a
false threat of anthrax, or a false threat of another kind, will be
prosecuted by federal, state, and local officials. We are working
carefully with state and local officials in this respect. Many of our
states have very serious and substantial legal frameworks to prosecute
such individuals as well.
I want to thank the American people for their patience, their
vigilance and their cooperation in all of these respects. I am pleased
now to introduce the Director of the FBI, Bob Mueller, and also the
Postmaster General of the United States, Jack Potter. Together, they
are working very well to help Americans develop a sense of confidence
in a system of mail and mail delivery which merits our confidence, and
I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce them at this time.
DIRECTOR MUELLER: Thank you, General. Good morning. Last week, I had
the opportunity to attend Governor Ridge's swearing in, and at that
time, and later, to pledge the FBI's full support and cooperation with
the work of his office.
The task at hand is larger than any one agency. And the new office
headed by Governor Ridge, we believe, can only help we at the FBI to
better meet our critical counter-terrorism mission. And the Bureau,
the FBI, will provide whatever resources, information and assistance
the Governor needs to fulfill his mission.
Our participation in that mission will be a critical component in the
information sharing process, not only at the federal level, but also
with state and local authorities.
Now, in an average year the FBI handles approximately 250 assessments
and responses involving chemical or biological agents, or other
weapons of mass destruction. Over the past 18 days alone, we have
handled more than 3,300, including 2,500 involving suspected anthrax
threats alone.
As we have heard, one person has died from anthrax bacteria, and a
limited number of individuals have been exposed. But our nation is
quite clearly concerned. I want you to know our investigators are hard
at work -- are hard at work in New York, in Florida, in New Jersey, in
D.C., and throughout the country, responding swiftly and fully to each
and every request for assistance, but most particularly following up
on each and every lead that could disclose the identity and provide
the proof against those who are responsible for these anthrax attacks.
We are treating every instance around the country as a serious crime.
And we will not relent; we will pursue, and bring to justice, those
who are responsible for these harmful acts.
It is quite obvious and clear, however, that this is a collective
effort with many agencies, not just those standing here today but
others, both in the federal government, as well as with the state and
locals. And the process must be seamless and comprehensive.
And also, as the Attorney General has previously mentioned, we are
addressing anthrax hoaxes. And when we find such a hoax, we will
pursue the investigation and prosecute to the full extent of the law.
I want to finish this segment by saying the FBI and all of its
federal, state, and local colleagues look forward to working with
Governor Ridge and his office, and to continue the close cooperation
that we have seen certainly since September 11th, and most
particularly with regard to these anthrax attacks.
Let me discuss for a moment, if I might, another matter. We in the FBI
are pleased this morning to join with Postmaster General Jack Potter
to announce a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to
the arrest and conviction of those responsible for terrorist acts of
mailing anthrax. Now, this reward continues the strong partnership
between the FBI and the postal authorities in tracking down criminals
who use our mail system to further their illegal deeds. And we are
very pleased to contribute to this endeavor, and once again call upon
the public to assist us in this fight against terrorism.
Now, let me, if I might, turn this over to Postmaster General Jack
Potter. Thank you.
GENERAL POTTER: Good morning. First of all, I would like to thank
Governor Ridge for having me here today to represent the Postal
Service. And I would like to thank the FBI, the health officials from
the federal government. And I would also like to thank law enforcement
officials and health officials throughout America for their support of
the Postal Service throughout this effort, and for their quick action
to respond.
We are very happy to participate in the effort, with our Inspection
Service and the FBI, with the effort to apprehend those who are
responsible for these heinous acts. We are also very anxious and thank
the Attorney General for his efforts to go after those who would use
the mail to make a hoax.
We have to be vigilant, and that is our message to the American
public. When it comes to the use of mail, we are asking that people
use common sense. And we are going to mail, within the next week, a
postcard to everyone in America. This postcard outlines what they
should be suspicious of in the mail, mail that does not have a return
address, and other things that are likely to occur in the mail.
The best defense that we have right now is an educated American
public, an educated work force -- both the employees of the Postal
Service and those who work in mail rooms. And our message has been
consistent, it has been very clear: if you receive something that is
suspicous, we want you to isolate it, put it in a plastic bag, don't
let other people touch it. Don't shake it, don't taste it, don't sniff
it -- I mean, these are very common sense things that we are asking
the American public to do. And then we are asking them to call law
enforcement. And law enforcement agencies and local health officials,
state and national health officials, are all ready to get involved and
respond to their needs.
In addition to that, the Postal Service is putting out a poster that
will be issued to mail rooms throughout America, so that the folks in
the mail rooms will know what to be on the lookout for. We also have
information on our website, www.usps.com.
My message to the American public is to remain calm, be vigilant, be
aware of what you get in the mail. And as the President has said,
heightened awareness right now is what we are asking all of America to
do. Yes, we believe the mail is safe. It is very safe if you are
prudent, and if you follow the simple directions that we're asking you
to follow.
Again, let me close by thanking Governor Ridge for having me here
today, and for allowing the Postal Service to participate in this
effort. We're committed to homeland security. And again, I want to
thank local law enforcement officials, and federal law enforcement and
health officials, for their support of the Postal Service.
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Jack, I just want to publicly recognize the
extraordinary work that you and the Post Office have done. The card
that you are sending out to every single home and just some good,
common sense practical suggestions that we want all Americans to be
aware of and to take.
I have asked our Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, to spend a little
time with us this morning. Doctor?
GENERAL SATCHER: Thank you very much, Governor Ridge. We too are very
pleased to join with you and with Attorney General Ashcroft and people
from the Justice Department and the Postal Service in responding to
this ongoing threat.
I think you know that Secretary Thompson has pledged the full support
of our department, including the Public Health Service, to you in
defending the homeland security.
I want to make a few points about the Public Health Service. We
believe that from a health perspective, the best defense against
bioterrorism is a very strong public health infrastructure, and we
believe that the public health infrastructure is responding very well
to this threat.
Americans should be reassured in knowing that we are responding
quickly and effectively to cases of anthrax exposure and presumed
exposure throughout the country. We are delivering the appropriate
medications to those who need it, and we are erring on the side of
caution in making health care available to those who may have been
exposed to anthrax spores.
Let me say that the federal, state, and local governments are working
well together in terms of public health. The CDC is our lead agency in
responding to this kind of threat, and the CDC, in addition to
providing epidemiologists to be involved in detecting and
investigating and diagnosing cases, is also supporting state and local
health departments. CDC's health alert network now includes more than
80 state and local health departments and laboratories, and more are
being developed.
I think we are doing well as a nation and we need to stay the course.
We need to continue to do those things that we know are effective. We
have a very strong public health infrastructure, and it is getting
stronger, as it should.
We need to make sure that people are informed as to what can be done
to minimize the risk. It is important to continue to point out that,
as serious as anthrax is as a disease, it is not contagious. And from
a public health perspective, that is very good news.
It is also important to point out that we have the ability -- when we
know that someone has been exposed to this bacteria, we have the
ability to treat them with antibiotics and to prevent the development
of the disease. And so what we are treating in many cases now, we are
treating exposures. And by treating exposures, we are preventing the
development of the disease.
The American people should know that we have plenty of antibiotics to
get to those who need them, and we have the ability to deliver those
antibiotics rapidly. Over the last three years, we have developed a
stockpile at CDC. There are sites distributed throughout the country.
There are agreements with vendors, manufacturers, that can aid in
getting antibiotics anywhere they are needed in a very short period of
time, in a matter of hours. And we have demonstrated that in Florida,
in New York, and certainly in Washington, D.C.
The administration took steps this week to expand the antibiotic
stockpile even further. We now have enough to serve 2 million people
for up to 60 days, which is what is recommended when one has been
exposed to anthrax. We have now taken steps to expand that so that we
could, in fact, serve at least 12 million people with ciprofloxicin up
to 60 days.
There is another very important point that needs to be made here.
There has been so much attention given to the drug Cipro, it is very
important that everyone understands that Cipro is not the only drug
that we have in our armamentarium to deal with this problem. Several
varieties of penicillin and tetracycline can also be used. FDA has, in
fact, now taken the steps to label those drugs so that physicians will
be very clear about the use of them.
But in most cases, we try to start people who have an exposure on
ciprofloxicin, and after a period of time when we have been able to
determine the sensitivities, we are able to move to other drugs.
Let me just say I think despite all of the discussion, and perhaps
sometimes confusion, about the nature of different organisms -- for
example, the discussion with Capitol Hill -- I think what is really
important to understand that so far all of the strains that have been
identified are sensitive to the antibiotics that we have. They are
sensitive to ciprofloxicin and, in most cases, sensitive to penicillin
and to tetracycline.
So we have not only the antibiotics that we have been describing in
terms of ciprofloxicin, but we also have penicillin and various forms
of tetracycline that can also be used. And we can deliver them.
We certainly do not recommend -- and I want to state this again -- we
do not recommend that physicians prescribe ciprofloxicin and other
antibiotics for anthrax when they are not needed. We do not believe
that the treatment for anxiety in patients is to give them
prescriptions. We believe the treatment is to really discuss this
issue with them and to try to make them understand that we are able to
respond, but to also understand the harm that can be done if people
hoard antibiotics, use them inappropriately, so that we develop more
resistant strains.
And I just have to remind you that over the years the powerful drug
penicillin has been severely weakened by inappropriate use, and so we
don't want this to happen in this case. We need your cooperation. The
public is a very important part of this public health approach, and so
we hope that that will happen.
Today, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., the CDC, as Governor Ridge
mentioned, will be holding a special conference for physicians and
others on the front line. It is entitled, "What Clinicians Need to
Know." That conference can be accessed on www.cdc.gov/phtn, and
information will be provided for physicians and others on the front
line.
But also, as Governor Ridge mentioned, it should be pointed out that
on a very regular basis the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
makes information available for the general public. Health alert
announcements that are provided -- they can be accessed at
www.cdc.gov.
But to keep all of this in perspective, we've had a lot of concern
over the last few weeks, and I think it's appropriate. We've said that
we think it's appropriate not only that the public health system be on
high alert during this time in our history, but also that the public
be on high alert.
Now, what is the role of the public? And it's not a new role -- there
are certain things that we have said all along that people should do
in the interest of the public health. We've talked about the
importance of hand washing. We've talked about the importance of
carefully handling foreign objects or substances. And you've heard the
Postmaster General describe what we need to happen relative to the
mail, and CDC issued guidelines in terms of handling envelopes,
especially those that are not familiar and those that are unusual in
terms of their bulkiness or their odor, or their stain or what have
you.
But these are public health precautions, just like the thorough
cooking of food. If people are worried about the danger of anthrax in
their food, then the best defense against that is to thoroughly cook
foods. So, the general public health guidelines apply here as they
have before.
We have now had -- we have announced before, and I think the MMWR
that's coming out today will still say that there have been four cases
of anthrax disease, the two in Florida and the two in New York.
However, CDC will be announcing today that we have confirmed a fifth
case, and that we're in the process of confirming a sixth case of
anthrax disease. Dr. Mitch Cohen, who is here, and who is head of the
Division of Mycotic and Bacterial Diseases at the CDC will be here to
discuss that.
Also, as you've heard, with us today is the Deputy Surgeon General,
Dr. Ken Moritsugu, who has been detailed of assigned to Capitol Hill
to work very closely with Congress. He has certainly been very active
in the last two days in dealing with the situation there, and will
discuss that with you.
Again, I want to thank Governor Ridge for his leadership at this very
important time in our history. And we look forward to working very
closely with you.
DEPUTY GENERAL MORITSUGU: Good morning. As Dr. Satcher mentioned, on
Tuesday Secretary Tommy Thompson assigned me to work together with the
Senate leadership on Capitol Hill in coordinating both the assessment
and the response to the anthrax incident that occurred on Monday
morning.
CDC epidemiologists have been on-site since Monday afternoon and have
been evaluating the situation within the Senate. And based upon their
evaluation, of greater than 3,000 nasal swabs there were only 31 nasal
swabs that indicated an exposure to anthrax. And for that reason,
yesterday afternoon the CDC epidemiologists recommended that there was
no need for further nasal swab evaluation; that CDC had identified the
area of exposure, and that area was on the fifth and the sixth floor
on the southeast wing of the Senate Hart Building, and it was confined
to individuals who either worked in or traveled through that area on
Monday.
Furthermore, those individuals who had worked in or traveled through
that area on Monday should be on 60 days of medication. There is
continuing analysis and evaluation of that area, as well as other
areas of the Senate and the Capitol. And we will be reporting as we
get additional information.
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Two quick observations, if I might, before I ask Dr.
Cohen. First of all, Dr. Satcher referred to the fifth case, and
that's the third case in New York. Remember, we've got two in Florida,
three in New York, and I told you there will be a sixth that we're in
the process of confirming right now.
And secondly, I thought it was very important for you to know that
every morning I meet with, or talk to, the Attorney General and the
FBI Director. And every morning, among many things that we discuss, we
discuss the need to commit FBI and Justice resources, and public
health resources to follow up as aggressively and as quickly as
possible on every single potential threat.
And we just want to assure America that when the threats turn out to
be a hoax, that the Department of Justice and the FBI will move as
aggressively against those as they do to investigate to make sure that
a threat exists in the first place.
It's inconceivable to me that under this extraordinary set of
circumstances that this country is dealing with, to me, that the
Department of Justice, and the FBI, and the CDC, and public health
officials have to respond -- and will respond as aggressively as
possible and as quickly as possible -- and then we find out that it's
fraudulent, that it's a hoax.
Let there be no mistake about it; let it be a strong message and a
very clear message. The federal government -- and, I might add, the
Attorney General pointed out that there are state and local officials
who will assist us in prosecuting these individuals to the fullest
extent of the law.
In the past couple of days, several people have asked the
administration, asked different officials, and queried about the
delay, from getting the swabs and getting the samples to getting
public information. Obviously we like immediate gratification. We like
to know as quickly as possible. But there is some science that is
involved in making this determination, in drawing the appropriate
medical conclusion. And I have asked Dr. Mitch Cohen from the CDC to
join us today to talk to you a little bit about the science of
identifying the bacteria and confirming the bacteria.
DR. COHEN: Thank you, Governor. Good morning. As you have heard, there
have been several additional cases that are being evaluated. As those
people are notified about their diseases, we will be able to provide
you more information about those.
We have a series of investigations that are going on in several
places. These are jointly conducted with state and local public health
officials, and with law enforcement officials as well. These are very,
very good collaborations, and we are making tremendous progress in all
those areas.
I will be happy, during the question and answer period, to answer any
specific questions that you have concerning some of the laboratory
tests, some of the investigation issues. I know the laboratory test
work is often very confusing, and that is in part because this is an
unusual disease, and there are many different types of tests that have
to be used to determine its presence on people, in people, in the
environment, in letters. And all of those can be very complex and
confusing, and I will be happy to provide any additional information
that anyone would like to know on that. Thank you.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: My name is Dr. Bill Winkenwerder,
and I am the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health affairs. Just
confirmed two days ago, so very new to the situation here. I am joined
by General John Parker, who is with the Army Medical Research
Institute for Infectious Diseases, who has been involved in performing
some laboratory testing and other support to the CDC and to the FBI.
I just want to say that our role thus far has been to be a support to
the CDC and to the FBI and to other agencies that have called us in
because of the expertise and skill and special resources that we are
sometimes able to bring to the table. And so we are more than glad to
play that role. We do have some things that we can offer, and we look
forward to playing a supportive role in the fight against these acts.
So, I will be glad to answer any questions in the question and answer
period. Thank you.
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Yes, questions.
Q: Governor Ridge, clearly the Administration is putting out a message
today, "Be calm, we're engaged, we're doing what we can to help you."
Yesterday we got a confusing message from Capitol Hill, and a
troubling message: the House went out, the Senate stayed in. Were you
consulted? Do you agree with what they did?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I think both branches, in consultation with their
members, did what they thought was reasonable and prudent based on the
information they had at the time. And certainly we've talked about it
with them.
Again, I think an excess of caution, given the situation, particularly
on the Senate side, led to the Speaker and Minority Leader Gephardt,
in consultation with their caucuses, to make those decisions. And I
think, again, caution was the word. And they will be back to business,
ready to go, on Tuesday.
The Senate did remain in session today, I believe, for a vote or two,
they had some committee work to do, some conference committee work to
do perhaps. They are going to continue to conduct their business.
But I think, again, everybody is trying to respond properly based on
information they have available to them. And the individual leaders,
in consultation with their caucuses, made independent -- you know,
it's not the first time the House and the Senate have disagreed on
certain things. You go talk to Nick Calio -- it happens more than
once. Yes?
Q: Governor, the federal government is asking for money to buy 300
million small poxvaccines, that's enough to treat every American. Why
are we buying all of these vaccines, and when does the inoculation
program begin?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: First of all, answering the second part of the
question, we can't start inoculating until we have the vaccine. But
again, we have decided, as a matter of prevention and protection, to
strengthen the stockpile of antibiotics and vaccines that we have. And
we looked at potential challenges to this country -- smallpox is one
of them -- and decided to prepare for that challenge. Again, it's a
very appropriate response.
Q: So it's the intention to vaccinate every American against smallpox?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: It is the intention to determine, after we have
sufficient supplies available to commence inoculation, to make the
decision at that time.
Q: One of the things that is noticeable out in the public is this fear
that in case they get exposed, will they get the antibiotic, be it
Cipro or be it anything, on time? There seems to be some doubt out
there of what the period of incubation would be, what the symptoms
would be to make sure that if they have it to go to the doctor and get
the medicine.
Because we keep hearing there is plenty and there is going to be 600
percent more in stock. But how do people know not to hoard the
medicine -- when they should go to a doctor to be tested?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I will let Dr. Satcher and Dr. Cohen respond. But let
me just say, that one of the things that he FDA has done -- because
there has been so much public discussion about Cipro, and everybody
thinks that's the only antibiotic that can be used to treat exposure
and to use as a preventive measure. And that's just not the fact.
There are a wide range of antibiotics available in every drugstore in
the country. But let me ask Dr. Satcher to elaborate on that.
GENERAL SATCHER: A couple of things. I think we have demonstrated that
we have the ability to deliver the antibiotics in a very short period
of time, and in much larger numbers than we've had to do to date. So
we feel that we have demonstrated the ability to perform in that
sense. CDC has been developing the stockpile now since 1999, and that
stockpile, as you know, contains Cipro and other antibiotics that can
be used to treat people who are -- and we're using "treat" in an
interesting way here -- to treat people who have been exposed, or who
are presumed to be exposed, to anthrax.
And I do want to make the point, there will be people who have
negative nasal swabs who will still be treated. Because a negative
nasal swab test does not rule out exposure to anthrax. And so, if we
have a reason to believe that there is a high probability that someone
has been exposed, they will, in fact, be treated. We can deliver the
drugs in a very short period of time. That system of stockpiling and
vendor management agreements are in place, and the transportation
modes are in place. So we can deliver on that.
I do want to say a word about smallpox. That is, I think the issue
here is, of course, is when you don't -- we haven't seen a single case
of smallpox in the world since the late 1970s, except those that may
have been related to vaccines at a particular time. But smallpox has
been eradicated since 1977, and so you're always hesitant to immunize
people against a disease unless you're certain, fairly certain, that
there is going to be a risk.
And that's what has to be assessed as Governor Ridge said, ongoing.
Will there be the risk to indicate immunization against smallpox?
Q: How about the period? From the moment you start getting the
symptoms?
GENERAL SATCHER: The incubation period for anthrax is usually between
one and seven days. It's a very short incubation period. It probably
averages two or three days. And as you know, the symptoms can be very
difficult, because they include things like fever and fatigue and
muscle soreness. So in a sense, they can be very similar to the flu.
And the other thing, of course, it can be rapidly progressive. So that
is why we focus so much on exposure. We try not to wait for symptoms;
we try to really respond any time we know there is an exposure. If we
find symptoms in any given person, then we are concerned about who
else around that person has been exposed, and we move aggressively to
put those people on antibiotics also.
Q: Governor Ridge, really this press conference is a demonstration of
how much the U.S. government is putting into investigating these
anthrax cases. And I'm curious as to whether you feel that the
devotion of this amount of personnel and resources to anthrax
heightens the risk that the U.S. government could be blindsided from
another direction by any terrorist?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Oh, no, I would say, even though this press conference
suggests that it's really about anthrax generally, we are more
vigilant today, and continue to get more vigilant every day as we
assess different risks that might present themselves in this country.
I mean, if you take a look at everybody in the FBI, the Border Patrol,
the Coast Guard, CDC, everybody is working 24/7. We have engaged the
state and the federal communities. So no, I think our antennae are up
for all conceivable risks, and you ought to be reassured of that.
Q: One for the Attorney General, if I might.
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Oh, good. Yes. (Laughter.) General Ashcroft?
Q: Are there any promising leads in terms of tracking down the sources
of the anthrax letters, particularly those sent to Senator Daschle and
to NBC?
GENERAL ASHCROFT: We are devoting every resource and pursuing every
lead. I don't think it's appropriate for me to announce that we have
any promising leads, but we are investigating very thoroughly.
And that includes --
Q: Are there leads to disclose?
GENERAL ASHCROFT: I will have to defer on that. I am not in a position
to say that there are, and I don't know whether the Director wants to
make a comment or not. Obviously the FBI is a very important part of
this investigation, but the Postal Service authorities are also
involved. And our desire to make this investigation a successful one
is indicated by the fact that today we are offering a reward of up to
$1 million for individuals who provide the information that will lead
to the successful arrest, detention, prosecution and conviction of the
individuals involved.
Q: Can you say whether there's evidence linking --
Q: Mr. Mueller, do you want to answer?
Q: -- each of the three cases now?
DIRECTOR MUELLER: I will perhaps respond to the question about leads.
I can't get into whether lead A is better than lead B. I can tell you
that from each of the areas where there has been anthrax exposure --
Florida, New York, and D.C. -- the samples relating to the spores in
the anthrax exposure are being analyzed by a variety of laboratories
to determine alikeness, and to determine whether or not there is a
sole or single source of each of those attacks.
Likewise, we put out yesterday, I believe, the envelopes, the two
envelopes of the letter that was sent to NBC in New York, as well as
the envelope of the letter sent to Senator Daschle. And that, you can
look at it yourself and compare it. And by putting out those two
envelopes, we are getting a number of leads.
We put those envelopes out there for two reasons: one for leads, but
also so persons would look at those envelopes, and if they saw an
envelope with similar writing, or a similar return address, they would
let us know. I think we are over 300,000 leads since September 11th to
now. Many of those in the last few days have been related to anthrax,
and every one of them is being pursued.
Q: Just to follow on that, there have been a number of public
statements by officials saying that there is some belief, without hard
evidence, that al Qaeda or Osama bin Laden may be behind these anthrax
attacks, letters. Is there any hard evidence that perhaps another
rogue nation or a domestic terrorist, an American terrorist, could be
behind this?
DIRECTOR MUELLER: Let me start by saying that the mailing of anthrax
is a terrorist act. It is a terrorist act. And we are pursuing it as a
terrorist act. We are not in a position at this point to determine
those who are responsible to the extent that they could be put into an
indictment or arrests be made. I'll just leave it there.
Q: Governor Ridge?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Every single day, the organizations represented by
these individuals with me today, along with others that are not
represented here -- every single day they work to improve our ability
to identify and prevent a threat, and they work every single day to
improve our ability and strengthen our ability to respond to it. So
please know that every organization in the federal government right
now is focused on the widest possible range of anti-terrorism
activity.
Q: Governor Ridge, there has been -- Dr. Cohen talked about other
places being investigated. Have there been any other cases of anthrax
found in government buildings or field offices, and would you tell us
if they were?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: To date, there have been none. And secondly, we will,
but my experience has been, at least it seems to me that sometimes you
find out before we do. I mean, the local response to the effort,
frankly, generates a great deal of interest. All of a sudden, the
public health department and a couple sirens perhaps, and it draws
your attention to it.
But obviously the President and everyone in the administration
understands that it's very important for us to get information to you,
validated information to you, as quickly as we possibly can.
Q: Can someone talk about how mail is being handled at the White
House? Is it being screened with extra care? Have any threats been
received here with regard to the mail supply in light of what's --
GOVERNOR RIDGE: The mail has been handled the way it has been handled
for a long time. I don't think we're doing -- we're following the Post
Office regimen very carefully.
Q: Governor Ridge, if there is a bioterrorist -- a large-scale
bioterrorist act in the future, who is in charge of the response? Who
has authority to make decisions related to the response?
What I am trying to find out, basically, is are the boss here or are
you a coordinator?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: If there is a -- well, I guess a coordinator is like a
conductor with an orchestra. The music doesn't start playing until he
taps the baton. Coordinate -- if you've got a response to a
bioterrorism activity, you've got several agencies that spring into
action immediately, simultaneously. And my role would be to
participate in that effort to make sure that the response --
agency-wide, cross-government-wide -- is coordinated so that it is
quick and is aggressive and is complete as possible. That's my job.
Q: But nobody believes that this -- do people have to listen to you if
-- do they --
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Well, first of all --
Q: -- make a decision about how people are going to respond or who is
going to respond? Do they have to listen to you or not?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Well, there are some areas that they are certainly
going to have to listen to me. But your question was around what
happens in the event of some form of attack, and everybody has
pre-assigned responsibilities. Everybody knows the job that they need
to do.
And in that eventuality, they immediately proceed to do that work, and
I'll oversee that work. And if there is a gap, if there is something I
think that needs to be done differently, if there are additional
preventive measures I think need to be taken, if I think we have
overlooked something, I make the call.
Q: On the science of the anthrax, please? Do we know yet whether the
three cases are all of the same strain? And secondly, could someone
speak to the D.C. anthrax? We've heard weapons grade, not weapons
grade, you know, you need a special machine to make it, you don't.
Could someone just talk about that?
DR. COHEN: Well, in our laboratories we have done preliminary tests on
the strains from Florida and from New York. These preliminary tests do
not show any differences between those two strains. They have been
sent to further laboratories for more detailed tests to see whether or
not we can sort out any differences from them.
Q: And you don't know about D.C. yet, whether it matches those others?
DR. COHEN: Well, those studies probably will be done today. We haven't
received the isolate yet, enough to do them.
Q: Okay. And on the quality of the type of the D.C. anthrax, whether
it's -- you know, how sophisticated it is?
DR. COHEN: Well, from my perspective, from a public health
perspective, anthrax is a dangerous organism. And so I think the
important public health message is that people have to be careful and
alert with their mail, so that if you have anthrax in an envelope, you
have to be alert and take care, as prescribed by the Post Office.
Q: How many of these other cases are outside of Washington and in New
York and Florida?
DR. COHEN: Well, as soon as the sixth case is notified, then we will
be able to provide that information to you.
Q: But is it fair to say that of those several that you said you are
looking at, first, can you put a little bit more specific number than
several? Several could be anywhere from five to fifteen. And are they
outside of the Washington, New York, Florida axis you have seen, so a
lot of people elsewhere have reason to be even more worried?
DR. COHEN: Well, the cases that we are working with are in the general
areas of where we have been conducting investigations. There are a
number of people who have specimens sent -- there are several -- or
evaluated cultures from their nose or skin biopsy specimens. Some of
these may or may not turn out to be anthrax.
So this is a very small number that we are evaluating in the
laboratory, in addition to the six that we'll have identified.
Q: The question, I think, about the grade of the anthrax here in D.C.
up on the Hill is there was some confusion. We were initially told it
was very high quality, raising fears that there was state sponsorship
behind it, that this was a very serious act of terrorism. Then we were
told, well, no, not necessarily so. So I think that is where the
confusion is. And could you or someone else maybe address that?
DR. COHEN: Well, I think those studies are actually being done to
answer the questions that you are asking about, but certainly the
folks from the Department of Defense might want to comment.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: This is just based on the
conversations that I have had with General Parker and others that are
involved in the technical aspects of this. And first, obviously the
sample was confirmed as anthrax by the USAMARID -- an acronym we use
here -- lab. It looked to be run of the mill. They are sensitive to
all antibiotics. There was no evidence, based on what we know thus
far, that it was any different from any samples at this time. Now,
more comparative work may need to be done to confirm that.
There was some suggestion that there was less debris in the specimen,
which could suggest that it may have have been processed in some way.
But, again I wouldn't even put that forward. It is not confirmed at
this point.
Q: What were the particle sizes?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: I don't believe that there was
anything unusual about the particle size.
Q: But the spores were --
Q: Milled --
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: I don't know that that's a term that
we would use. That is an inference as to how something may have been
altered in some way, and I don't think we are prepared to make that
inference at this time.
Q: Did the powder look the same in all three instances? And what does
it look like?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: Well, my point was I don't think we
have compared this one sample from Washington with the others to be
certain about that.
Q: Can you give us the characteristics -- the color of it and what
people might be alarmed --
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: Again, I think that is work that
needs to be done.
Q: Is it correct that it had a aerosol-type quality, that it plumed,
popped up in the air? Hastert suggested that at one point. Is that
incorrect, as far as you know?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: I can't comment on that.
Q: Can you speak generally to weapons grade anthrax, whether or not --
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: No, I can't. I'm not sure how that
term even came out, but no.
Q: -- let it stay in the air, as Dr. Woolridge (phonetic) talked about
special ones that have coating that allows particles to stay in the
air longer? Did this have that coating?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WINKENWERDER: Again, I think that analysis still
needs to be done.
Q: Governor Ridge, there have been waves of anxiety in the public --
over flying, over anthrax. Is that a separate problem that needs to be
treated separately from the medical attention, the law enforcement
that is dealing with these other issues?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: On a daily basis, individuals associated with our
effort within the administration assess different kinds of threats.
And obviously one of the reasons that we worry about the crop dusters
is it could potentially be a vehicle to deliver these substances. That
is why every single day we do an assessment, and why we have acted as
we have done in the past -- to ground them, to check licensing, to
check ownership.
And so -- someone asked a little bit earlier today about this assembly
of people and what it really means. And I just want to tell you that
we assembled this group today -- obviously it's my first opportunity
to spend a little time with you -- but to show you that on a daily
basis, on an hourly basis, every single day, there is communication
and collaboration between all agencies of government.
And we are not just focused exclusively on anthrax, I assure you. But
since that is the public challenge at the moment, it was appropriate
to bring these individuals here today to address some of the issues
that you and America have been asking for the past several days.
It is also my first opportunity to explain to you that I do not have
-- in response to your question, I don't have tactical or operational
authority. These men and women throughout this government have for
years -- for years have had experience in the areas for which they
presently work for the United States Government and for the American
people.
What President Bush asked me to do was come to Washington to work to
create a comprehensive national plan, to deal with homeland security;
to deal with a 21st century environment that says the challenges to
American's sovereignty and our security, which historically have been
offshore, but because of the 20th century environment we find that the
challenges are here; and to do whatever I could in conjunction, in
consultation -- and yes, I have the authority -- I certainly have
access. I have the President's ear. But my job is really long-term.
And when I say to you that if I find some gaps, if I find some areas
that need to be filled, if I see some -- and basically I find strength
that could be strengthened. I find areas where there may be more
collaboration. But the bottom line is I don't have technical
operational authority. These men and women are doing an extraordinary
job.
You don't get a chance to see it like I do. You don't have a chance to
interact every single day like I do with every single one of these
agencies. The President has tasked me to take a look at the 46-plus
agencies, to take a look at everything that everybody considers to be
homeland security, and over the next several months put together a
comprehensive national strategy to deal with this -- heretofore a
threat that perhaps we thought about, but really didn't think too long
or hard about it.
There have been plenty of things written. There have been plenty of
things said. There are experts all over this country, inside and
outside the government. The President says, "pull in the best," and
help design a plan that these individuals and their organizations
would be able to implement over the years. But I assure you, there is
extraordinarily strong foundation in this country. See how quickly CDC
responded; FBI and the CIA and the Department of Justice, everybody
collaborating in their efforts. It is strong. The President said to
me, "Make it stronger." That's my task.
But I don't have operational authority.
Q: I just was wondering how you plan to work with the NSC? There seems
to be to be some overlap between your office --
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Well, one of the great relationships I have is with
Dr. Condi Rice. There is some overlap. I don't know if you were here
the other day when General Downing and Dick Clark were introduced;
again, the President's goal is to provide the resources to me and the
access -- and I have it. The resources of the federal government and
access to every area of the federal government to develop a national
strategy to deal with a threat that up until September 11th -- maybe
we thought about it, we might have anticipated it, people had written
about it, but maybe we were hopeful in our own mind that it really
wouldn't happen.
This magnificent country bordered by two great oceans, neighbors with
whom we collaborate and cooperate all the time. We're open, we're
accessible, we're free. We trust. But unfortunately the 21st century
suggests that we want to remain open and accessible, but friendly
borders and large oceans no longer immunize us to 21st century
threats, particularly from non-state terrorists.
So the President says -- he's assembled an extraordinary team. I
couldn't possibly do the job that General Ashcroft is doing, or Dr.
Satcher is doing, or Bob Mueller is doing, the Postmaster General is
doing --they're doing extraordinarily fine work. But take a look at
it. I'm the one person in government that can stand back from the
different agencies, stand back from their missions, and stand back
from their history and say, "Well, Mr. President, I would recommend
that we strengthen our national ability to respond to these threats
with this strategy." That I have been asked to do, and that's what
I'll do.
Q: Will you also be sort of the spokesman -- the main person who will
interface with the public?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Yes. We're going to try to have more regular briefings
of this type. Obviously on many occasions it's not going to be with
the array of agency and department heads. But I'm going to try to be
-- and want to be -- briefing you on a more regular basis. And I
intend to.
Q: In the context of your oversight responsibilities do you think you
should have the national security and intelligence briefings every day
with the NSC or the President and his aides have --
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I have been cleared by the President to have as much
information as I want.
Q: What does that mean in terms of national --
GOVERNOR RIDGE: That I am cleared by the President to have as much
information as I want or need, which means that I have access to that
kind of information.
Thank you.
END 11:07 A.M. EDT
(end White House transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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