Posted on 10/24/2001 10:45:05 AM PDT by GoreFreeTN
US company in Pakistan hit by anthrax
Updated on 2001-10-24 12:12:00
KARACHI: Two cases of anthrax attacks have already taken place in Pakistan, involving multi-national companies, including an American bank, but for unknown reasons officials are trying to keep them under wraps. Senior executives at two business organisations in Karachi -- an international bank and a computer-marketing firm -- received international mail that carried anthrax spores mixed with some powdery material last week. A number of staff members at both organisations are now being treated for anthrax. A senior staff at the main laboratory of Aga Khan University and Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi confirmed on Monday that the laboratory test on two specimens received from these organisations on Friday last showed that one of the two specimens was loaded with anthrax while the other one had some traces of the dreaded bacterium, Bacillus Anthracis, in medical terms. Another senior executive at the Aga Khan hospital has informed The News that soon after the detection of anthrax, a detailed report was sent to the government of Pakistan health officials both here and in Islamabad with recommendations to create public awareness. Medical experts say that since first cases of anthrax have already been confirmed in Pakistan the authorities must immediately launch a public awareness exercise because almost all forms of anthrax if caught early enough can be cured by prompt antibiotic treatment and if it is left untreated, it kills about one in five people. Requesting anonymity a senior ministry of health official in Karachi confirmed that Aga Khan hospital has reported the first case of anthrax in Pakistan and the matter has been referred to top federal authorities in Islamabad who were considering the pros and cons of making a public disclosure about the advent of anthrax in the country. Experts have described anthrax as perfect germ for bio terrorism mainly because it is not contagious and only those exposed to a release of spores get sick. Since its outbreak in the United States soon after the terrorist attacks of September 11, two postal workers are reported to have died while about 20 people are now being treated for anthrax. The first anthrax carrying mail, sources in the affected business organisations said, was addressed to the joint-president of a Zurich-based Pakistani bank and it had originated from New York city. A Karachi computer company that deals in American brands had also received dusty anthrax material in a mail envelope. The employees from both organisations who may have handled the mail were later given penicillin doses at Aga Khan hospital. A senior security official in Karachi has also confirmed that intelligence agencies have been ordered to trace the roots of the new anthrax threat to Pakistan. An official source said that a strategy was being debated in consultation with the Post Master General to caution the postal staff on domestic and international mail that may carry anthrax. Before using it as a weapon for bio-terrorism anthrax spores are dried and then mixed with any powdery substance, a process that needs excellent scientific skills and facilities.
BTW, I like your name...Spent some time around Memphis, myself.
I hadn't seen these reports...
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