Military

DATE=10/8/01

TYPE= CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-281551

TITLE=ANTHRAX / FLORIDA (L-O)

BYLINE=MICHAEL BOWMAN

DATELINE=MIAMI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: For the second time in less than a week, the potentially-deadly anthrax bacteria has been detected in Florida. Federal authorities are now investigating the case of a Florida man who has tested positive for exposure to anthrax. The man worked in the same building as the first victim, who died of the disease last week. V-O-A's Michael Bowman reports from Miami.

TEXT: Federal law enforcement officials, as well as the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control are once again focusing on Palm Beach County, Florida north of Miami. Attorney General John Ashcroft says the F-B-I is investigating the latest appearance of anthrax, after the bacteria were detected in the nasal passages of a newspaper worker and on the computer keyboard of a co-worker who succumbed to a virulent case of the disease last week.

/// ASHCROFT ACT ///

We take this very seriously. Together with local authorities and health authorities we have sealed the building. We are relying on the Centers for Disease Control and health authorities to provide expertise which we do not have (at the Department of Justice). And, very frankly, we are unable to make a conclusive statement about the nature of this as either an attack or an occurrence absent more definitive laboratory and other investigative returns.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Ashcroft says the case is being investigated as a "potential" criminal act.

Dr. Steven Wiersman of the Palm Beach County Health Department confirmed that the latest potential victim tested positive for anthrax exposure, but added that the man, whose identity has yet to be released, has shown no symptoms of the disease.

/// WIERSMAN ACT ///

We have evidence of someone else being exposed to this bacteria. That is very different than a case (of anthrax). We do not believe this person is suffering from the disease caused by anthrax.

/// END ACT ///

Nevertheless, authorities are taking no chances, ordering the newspaper's offices closed, testing all employees for anthrax and prescribing antibiotics.

Employee Felicia Levine says she has been unnerved by the ordeal.

/// LEVINE ACT ///

I got a phone call at one in the morning telling me to come down to the health center and get tested. So, it is blowing my mind (unbelievable). I can not believe how close to home this is hitting.

/// END ACT ///

Anthrax, which occurs naturally in some livestock, can be contracted either through exposure to the skin or, in its most deadly form, through inhalation of bacteria spores.

Officials continue to say there is no evidence that the Florida anthrax occurrences are related to terrorism. Yet the circumstances of the incidents are potentially alarming. Last week's fatality was the first confirmed case of the disease in the United States in 25 years, coming weeks after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. In addition, several suspected terrorists in the September 11th attacks lived in Florida and are believed to have inquired about learning to fly crop dusting planes, which authorities say could potentially be used as a dispersal vehicle for chemical or biological agents. (SIGNED)

NEB/MCB/MAR