Anthrax Scare in Saudi Arabia

The Arab News | 10/24/03 | vanity

[genefromjersey]

Three employees of the Salama Post Office were sent to the hospital yesterday on suspicion of having been infected by anthrax.

The three showed "suspicious symptoms" after opening a package containing an unknown substance, according to the newspaper al-Riyadh.

The Department of Health sent a medical team to the post office after being notified of the incident, and decided to send the three employees for further testing at Abdul Aziz hospital.

[genefromjersey]

I don't know if even a massive exposure to anthrax would work this quickly.It could have been another substance.

[NautiNurse]

Coincidentally, there is an imminent terror alert issued today for Saudi Arabia.

[Concentrate]

Here we go again...another round.

[TBall]

Or maybe they were infected before opening the package?

[Shermy]

Link:

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=34090&d=24&m=10&y=2003

Depends on when the item was opened.

Might be "Saudi grade" quality.

[Dutch Boy]

I wonder what will happen to the Islamic terrorists when they anger the mainstream islamic countries? It will then be muslim against muslim in a battle to the death.

[Concentrate]

One can only hope. Sounds at least partially what's plausible, and what's actually happening. If we hadn't invaded Iraq, would solutions such as this have even been possible?

[Shermy]

Speaking of "concentrate", I've seen more than a few stories over the past two years in the US about persons from foreign countries receiving concentrated spices and cooking pastes, which leak, burn skin, and cause alarm.

[Concentrate]

Well then, let us know about it. Do you know how to link to stories? If not, post your sources and I'll link them for you, as a courtesy. Thanks.

[prairiebreeze]

I am reminded of the story that occurred some months back about an Egyptian (I think) that was quarantined on a ship off the Canada coast with possible anthrax symptoms. He supposedly had been paid to transport a suitcase somewhere, opened it up and became sick.

The story dropped completely off the radar after that. As so many do...

Prairie

[Shermy]

I can't remember the links...but there was one in Minneapolis...airport worker literally burned with an acidic cooking mixture from Ethiopia...I think.

[palmer]

It was Hatfield. Somebody call Moses, we need to drain the Red Sea.

[Concentrate]

So true. We should have a *Dropped off the Radar list.

[TrebleRebel]

I think this is the one you refer to:

Egyptian Sailor Dies in Brazil From Anthrax- Brazil Police

[TomGuy]

Both British and Australian officials have issued terrorism related "travel warnings" for their citizens in Saudi Arabia. Maybe the next warfront is Saudi Arabia. That would be ironic.

[prairiebreeze]

That's it, thanks. Guess he never actually made it to Canada but died in Brazil. creepy

Prairie

[contessa machiaveli]

there was a "scare" last year in yonkers. a (ahem) mideastern family had weird symptoms and were hurriedly taken to the hospital. i never heard a peep about it again.

[Shermy]

Ping.

[swilhelm73]

Both British and Australian officials have issued terrorism related "travel warnings" for their citizens in Saudi Arabia. Maybe the next warfront is Saudi Arabia. That would be ironic.

Osama has always wanted to overthrow the Saudi Arabian government, because to his mind they aren't fanatical enough.

The Saudis have those in their government, in extremely high places, who agree with Osama, but not the government as a whole.

My reading as to what has happened is as follows. The two factions in the Saudi government, prior to 9/11, compromised and dealt with Osama by funneling money and help to his organization as long as he focused on killing Americans and Jews.

After 9/11, and moreso after our victories in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have been able to force the Saudi "moderates" (note teh scare quotes) away from this compromise. The pro-American faction now faces the charge of purging the pro-Osama faction or face severe pressure from the US once Iraqi oil production is up to full swing.

So we are about to see some interesting things happen in Saudi Arabia...