BREAKING : SECOND POSITIVE TEST FOR ANTHRAX : PBC

Telephone call and previous thread | 10/8/2001 | Centurion2000

[Centurion2000]

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.

[the_Watchman]

IF it turns out to be a planted biological agent I think we have to be careful about concluding WHO did it.

One of the problems of this type of conflict is the possibility of capable third parties whose sole intent is to fan the flames. Everyone assumes that the introduction of Anthrax rules out Bin Laden & Co. acting alone since he does not seem to have the required resources.

Let's list who would:

(1) Iraq

(2) China

(3) Russia

(4) Israel

(5) Potentially any European nation

(6) U.S. Government

(7) Potentially any large pharmaceutical company

I don't think we should rule out #2 or #3, for that matter. Both would benefit if we walked away from the Mideast with everyone mad at us.

[alieno nomine]

ALERT... more TFH theory from a NON microbiologist here.
But if all they need to do was "deliver" spores of B. anthracis (sp?)
could they do that by mixing spores in with the ink? What better way of
killing massive numbers of people who pick up the papers at the grocery store?

[World'sGoneInsane]

You were both on the other thread. Did anyone forward it to anyone???? It could be some 12 year old left alone on their computer, but it could be something.

[Clinton's a rapist]

Truthfully, of the three big "coincidence" stories -- the bus, the jet, and this, I think it looks like the first two really were unrelated to 9/11. Unfortunately, that has no bearing one way or the other on the true circumstances behind this case.

[Sabertooth]

Orlando Sentinel anthrax link.

[Tree of Liberty]

In my limited understanding of anthrax infection, I believe this form of the bacteria needs to be inhaled to do damage. Getting the spores on your skin (such as rubbing your fingers along the ink) might cause lesions, but I believe this form is easily treated and has a very low mortality rate.

[Black Cat]

The story just said that bacteria had been found, NOT that it had been found in the air.

[Sabertooth]

"What better way of killing massive numbers of people who pick up the papers at the grocery store?"

Ahhh...

The tin foil factory?

[Clinton's a rapist]

IF it turns out to be a planted biological agent I think we have to be careful about concluding WHO did it.

Duh, this is all happening a few minutes drive from the 9/11 hijackers' main nest. We know the hijackers wanted a method of delivering either chemical or biological weapons, because they tried to get their hands on crop-dusters. Unless this turns out to be some kind of freak coincidence -- which I don't think is going to happen -- then it's as plain as the nose on your face who did it.

[stlnative]

This guy was a photographer -- he worked totally away from the presses even if those presses are in the same building.

Just because he was a photographer does not mean that he would not be in the press area if it is in the same building. I worked for major printing company and all office people came into the plane where the presses where all the time.

It really seems to me like people here are flying off the handle about this

I don't see anyone flying off the handle. If the presses are their in the building then there are even more ways that the stuff could have entered the building and spread throughout the building.

My question about the presses does not mean that I think it could be spread throughout the country on the actual papers they print and distribute.

[Tree of Liberty]

True, but there isn't mutual exclusivity here. Just because they haven't said where the anthrax was found does not mean it couldn't have been in the ventelation system.

[CheneyChick]

Thanks for the link - this is too creepy.

[Selara]

Yes, the proper authorities do need to track this down, but until we actually know something, catastrophizing -- and especially repeating these stories -- is irresponsible at best.

Irresponsible? To "repeat" the story that a second case of anthrax has been confirmed in the same area as the first? I disagree.

[alieno nomine]

I sure hope your are right. Of course, if the ink were formulated to dry off powdery in
the readers hands...

Hmmm, better put on my TFH again. Time for me to go to bed. Good night, all.

G_D save us all.

[Cultural Jihad]

You were both on the other thread. Did anyone forward it to anyone???? It could be some 12 year old left alone on their computer, but it could be something.

I have no idea whether anyone was notified. Even though it was more than likely just a hoax, the FBI ought to hear about it to let them make that kind of determination.

[Black Cat]

mixing spores in with the ink?

That would DEactivate the spores -- it's not like a poison that you absorb through the skin or something. For this to work, you'd have to grind the paper to dust and inhale the particles, and even then, it would only work if the chemicals in the ink hadn't killed the bacteria.

[Don Joe]

"If the paper had been infected, the people who handled the paper would be sick and it's been 11 days since the man started showing symptoms. That sounds to me like if there are spores in the building, he is the most likely source, not some biological attack. This guy was a photographer -- he worked totally away from the presses even if those presses are in the same building."

First, that's not how it works. This is not the flu or some other communicable disease. He wasn't walking around the building shedding spores right and left. Nor is there any reason to suspect him of intentionally infecting himself and others.

Secondly, he was not a photographer, he was a photo editor. He was the guy with the airbrush who worked on the photos. Ever see those tabloid photos of various heads of state shaking hands with "the space alien"? How do you think they managed to get those shots? Out the business end of an airbrush, that's how!

Now, I wonder what the odds are that this guy airbrushed something that an islamic terrorist might consider insulting? Like maybe Omama bin Lardin's head on the body of a pig or somesuch?

[AmericanGurl]

I got in touch with a government friend in DC. It was called in. The URL to the original post in Portugese was given.

[Clinton's a rapist]

The story just said that bacteria had been found, NOT that it had been found in the air.

I stand corrected. Re-reading the CNN article, it says they found anthrax in samples taken from the building, and they are testing other samples, including air samples.

[cva66snipe]

They wouldn't be incubating it, they'd only have to deliver it. They're delivering dormant spores that incubate in the victims. This is not Legionaire's Disease.

Legionaire's Disease is stopped by treating the cooling water. But again we go back to access to those systems and it would likely be maintenance workers who suffered the ill effects first. I'm a retired building maintenance mechanic and know these type systems. Most persons working on these systems are pretty cautious as to gets access. The filtering would be the first place to look. Especially the scroll and baffles. A lot of the larger systems are inlet only type vent systems. That means no return air ducts. No recirculation but a constant turning over of fresh air. Hospitals I know are designed like this so are ships.

I would bet on a more limited source not common to all perhaps but easilly accessable and a presence there would not be questioned.