Surfside post office closed after possible anthrax case

The Sun News ^

[BobWNY]

SURFSIDE BEACH | The U.S. post office in Surfside Beach has been closed indefinitely following a preliminary test result that showed a postal worker who'd been ill may have cutaneous anthrax.

The branch, at 420 U.S. 17 N., was closed Tuesday morning after preliminary tests showed that the worker, whose name was not released, may have been exposed to the form of anthrax that occurs through skin contact, said Myrtle Beach Postmaster Michael Bosch. Surfside's town administrator said he got a call at 8:30 a.m. from the postmaster, notifying him of the possible anthrax case. Workers inside the building have been quarantined since 8:30 a.m., Surfside Beach administrator Michael Kovacs said just before noon.

The worker had been ill for about four days and had been being treated with antibiotics for flu-like symptoms, authorities said. The preliminary test was administered by her physician, whose name was not immediately available, Bosch said.

Because she'd been taking antibiotics, it will take a few days to make a positive diagnosis, Kovacs said.

It was unclear whether the worker was a carrier or a mail handler. Further details were not available.

Postal deliveries continued to made in Surfside on Tuesday, Kovacs said.

[BobWNY]

Okay, this makes no sense...how did this mail office get infected? The place is only a few miles down the road from Myrtle Beach.

[callisto]

Indexing for Anthrax_Scare_List
To find all articles tagged or indexed go here:
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[honway]

bump

[aomagrat]

The Seneca post office has a scare too. Looks like someone has it in for South Carolina.

From: The Greenville News

SENECA — There was no mail delivery in Seneca, where the post office was closed after white powder was found on an envelope in a high-speed mail sorter on Monday.

Seneca Postmaster Paul Fidler has asked that testing to identify the substance be given high priority.

"This mail in the building for today's delivery will not be delivered until that substance is identified.

"The odds are that this is going to be a hoax, but you never know. There may well have been a target. Lindsay Graham has an office in Seneca (and) there's Clemson University."

(Click link for rest of article)

[atafak]

I understand that all you local folk know where Surfside is and where ole Johnny wrecked his truck back in '92, but for the rest of us why not make some mention of what part of the country you are talking about? If you know which state you are in, you might mention that too.

[BobWNY]

Surfside is located along the coast in South Carlonia. A few miles down from Myrtle Beach (a tourist spot).

Hope this gives you a idea where it is.

[harpseal]

Okay, this makes no sense...how did this mail office get infected? The place is only a few miles down the road from Myrtle Beach.

The most obvious means would be from one of the anthrax letters going through this post office. Why do we think there were only two or three letters mailed. The person or persons who mailed these letters have not been apprehended. As I rember it there are also a number of military bases in South Carolina.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[atafak]

Thanks.

[Seeking the truth]

I just got off the phone with my mother, who is hospitalized in Grand Strand. Yes, she has "brochial pneumonia". Yes, she is on IV antibiotics - cephlasporins (sp). Yes, she goes to this PO in Surfside and was there 2-3 weeks ago. She's been sick since that time. She was also in New Jersey 2 weeks ago.

I am trying to contain my rage right now.

[CathyRyan]

BUMP

[Dixie Mom]

A prayerful bump for your mom, Gene. Most likely her illness is coincidental; but your fear and rage are certainly understandable under the circumstances. Keep us posted.

[CELTICGAEL (Celt)]

Ari is on NOW! He said that anthrax has been found at the White House post office which is a little ways down from the White House.

[vidbizz]

Camp LeJeune!!! (spelling?)

[MissEdie]

That one is in North Carolina. In SC we have Shaw Air Force Base (home to the largest fleet of F16's), Fort Jackson (one of the largest training facilities for the Army), the Navy shipyards in Charleston, and don't forget Parris Island (one of the major training facilities for the Marines)

[Seeking the truth]

You are right, of course. I should be more mad at the doctor who is treating here correctly (IMHO). Thanks for the prayer. My mom is a big believer in the power of prayer.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Many many prayers going out tonight!

This is becoming a very huge scare for everyone !

Prayers for your mother!

[honway]

Any update on this report?

[dixie sass]

How is your Mom? Is there anything that I can do? Dixie

[Seeking the truth]

Thanks for your prayers. My mom is doing better although she is staying in the hospital longer than she thought.

[Greatgrandma]

When was the last known anthrax-laced letter postmarked?

How many known anthrax-laced letters have there been?