09 October 2001
Text: CDC Reports Second Anthrax Case Found in Florida
(FBI initiates major investigation) (720)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that
investigators have detected evidence that the deadly anthrax bacterium
is present in the building where a Florida man who died of anthrax on
October 5 had worked.
An October 7 press release says tests show that a second man who
worked in the same building in Lantana, Florida, was exposed to the
bacterium that causes anthrax (Bacillis anthracis).
According to press reports, the discovery of a second anthrax case has
triggered a major investigation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) into how the two highly unusual events could have
occurred in such close proximity. The two anthrax cases are the first
to occur in the United States in 25 years.
Investigators, who have begun to test the building's workplace
surfaces to see how far the deadly bacteria may have spread, have told
reporters that so far the presence of anthrax has been found on the
computer keyboard used by the man who died. There is no evidence that
the bacteria have spread beyond the building.
The CDC said that while the current risk of anthrax among employees
and visitors to the building is extremely low, as a preventive measure
public health officials have begun to dispense antibiotics to hundreds
of personnel who have worked in the building since August 1. The
building is the headquarters for American Media Incorporated, which
publishes several supermarket tabloids.
Attorney General John Ashcroft told reporters October 8 that the
anthrax cases are being taken very seriously. He added, however, that
as of yet "we don't have enough information to know whether this could
be related to terrorism or not."
The Florida anthrax cases were caused by an inhaled form of the
bacterium, which is extremely rare in the United States. When anthrax
infects humans, it is usually from occupational exposure to infected
animals.
Anthrax is not contagious from one person to another. Symptoms of
inhalational anthrax include fever, muscle aches and fatigue that
rapidly progress to severe systemic illness. People usually die within
one to three days after the first symptoms. Antibiotic treatment
before symptoms occur will prevent contraction of anthrax. The
incubation period from exposure to onset of illness is usually 1 to 7
days, but may be as long as 60 days.
Additional information about treatment for anthrax can be found at the
following Web site: www.bt.cdc.gov
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
October 7, 2001
Public Health Message Regarding Florida Anthrax Case
The ongoing investigation of anthrax in Florida has detected evidence
that the bacterium that causes anthrax (Bacillis anthracis) may be
present in the building where the patient who died of anthrax worked.
B. anthracis was identified in one nasal sample from another worker in
the building, which suggests exposure. No other workers are known to
have illness consistent with anthrax.
One of many samples collected from the workplace environment contains
B. anthracis. Final results on the other environmental samples will
not be available for several days. In the meantime, public health
officials, in cooperation with the company, have secured the building.
The current risk of anthrax among employees and visitors to the
building is extremely low. However, as a preventive measure, public
health officials have begun to contact personnel who worked in the
building since August 1, 2001, to provide antibiotics. Antibiotic
treatment before symptoms occur will prevent anthrax. The incubation
period from exposure to onset of illness with anthrax is usually 1-7
days, but may be as long as 60 days.
Symptoms of inhalational anthrax include fever, muscle aches, and
fatigue that rapidly progress to severe systemic illness. Workers who
develop such symptoms will be advised to seek immediate medical
attention for further evaluation.
Anthrax is NOT contagious from one person to another. Family members
and contacts of persons who work in or visited the building are not at
risk and antibiotic therapy is not recommended for them. Other members
of the community are not at risk. Public health officials, together
with the FBI, are continuing the investigation.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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