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Anthrax Case Raises Bioterrorism Fears
Independent (UK) ^
| 4-30-2003
| David Usborne
Posted on 04/29/2003 3:59:17 PM PDT by blam
Anthrax case raises bioterrorism fears
By David Usborne in New York
30 April 2003
A crew member of an Egyptian freighter has died in Brazil apparently after opening a suitcase filled with anthrax that he was planning to take to Canada. His death has renewed anxiety in North America over the risk of bioterrorist attacks.
Brazilian officials believe the man, identified as Ibrahim Saved Soliman Ibrahim, was given the case before he left Egypt to join the ship, which was loading bauxite bound for Canada. They said the incident appeared to be part of a bioterrorism plot that went wrong.
Mr Ibrahim reportedly opened the suitcase at his hotel in the Amazon state of Para. He became ill and died on 11 April after suffering vomiting, internal bleeding and multiple organ failure.
"He was the victim of anthrax," said a spokesman for Brazilian police. He speculated that Mr Ibrahim opened the case out of curiosity and had no idea what it contained. "We imagine this is about bioterrorism and Brazil was just used as the point of transfer."
Final results from an autopsy were due to be sent to the Canadian authorities last night, but there seemed little doubt that the cause of death was anthrax. Several hospital workers who came into contact with the body became ill but all have since recovered.
The case has raised alarm in Canada, although officials insisted there was no cause for panic. Wayne Easter, Canada's Solicitor General, said the issue was being dealt with "appropriately".
Authorities in the US were also paying close attention. Five people died in America shortly after the 11 September attacks when anthrax was sent through the post to various locations. Police have still to solve the case.
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: anthrax; antraz; bioterrorism; fears
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1
posted on
04/29/2003 3:59:18 PM PDT
by
blam
To: blam
There was just a report saying he did not die from anthrax.
2
posted on
04/29/2003 4:00:00 PM PDT
by
ConservativeMan55
(Boycott Smuckers Jelly ! ! ! ! !)
To: ConservativeMan55
3
posted on
04/29/2003 4:00:23 PM PDT
by
ConservativeMan55
(Boycott Smuckers Jelly ! ! ! ! !)
To: ConservativeMan55; Badabing Badaboom; Mitchell; eno_; Fred Mertz; The Great Satan; Shermy
Independent seems to think differently.
To: aristeides
Very strange indeed...this is a case where we put the credibility of the two newspapers to the test. Which one passes the smell test?
5
posted on
04/29/2003 4:04:47 PM PDT
by
ConservativeMan55
(Boycott Smuckers Jelly ! ! ! ! !)
To: ConservativeMan55
The Independant or ABC News?
6
posted on
04/29/2003 4:05:13 PM PDT
by
ConservativeMan55
(Boycott Smuckers Jelly ! ! ! ! !)
To: ConservativeMan55
It's not like any newspapers seem to have anyone actually in Belem poking around; they just seem to basically regurgitate what the Belem police claim.
What's really on the line is the credibility of the Belem police, not these news outlets.
I think the odds that the Belem police are clueless, excitable incompetents is higher than this actually being a briefcase full of anthrax.
7
posted on
04/29/2003 4:14:07 PM PDT
by
John H K
To: John H K
To lighten the mood a bit...check this post out..LOL!!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/553341/posts
8
posted on
04/29/2003 4:15:45 PM PDT
by
ConservativeMan55
(Boycott Smuckers Jelly ! ! ! ! !)
To: ConservativeMan55
9
posted on
04/29/2003 4:16:10 PM PDT
by
ConservativeMan55
(Boycott Smuckers Jelly ! ! ! ! !)
Comment #10 Removed by Moderator
Comment #11 Removed by Moderator
To: Badabing Badaboom
That article doesn't read to me as if its author, Antonio José Soares, is persuaded that anthrax was not the cause of death.
Comment #13 Removed by Moderator
Comment #14 Removed by Moderator
To: blam
Why the heck isn't the lauded Homeland Security folks or the FBI down in Brazil getting to the bottom of this. If it isn't anthrax, or it is, should be determined and published. I haven't seen a single statement from the U.S. government on the subject.
15
posted on
04/29/2003 7:55:36 PM PDT
by
Ranger
To: Ranger
Ok, maybe it wasn't anthrax--but what about the suitcase full of white powder that was reported?
Baby powder for sensitive skin? And better take some from Egypt since they don't have any in Canada.
16
posted on
04/29/2003 8:03:46 PM PDT
by
wildbill
To: wildbill
what about the suitcase full of white powder that was reported? No suitcase full of white powder has been reported.
17
posted on
04/29/2003 8:05:15 PM PDT
by
Allan
To: Allan
Yesterday there was a report of a suitcase full of viles filled with a powder. Whether true or not is another story.
To: Badabing Badaboom
Anthrax can kill if it's ingested; this is the hardest type of anthrax to contract.
19
posted on
04/29/2003 8:56:43 PM PDT
by
motexva
(Cool site I saw today - antiwarcelebwatch.blogspot.com)
To: Lady Heron; 11B3; Alamo-Girl; angkor; aristeides; Badabing Badaboom; Betty Jo; blam; ...
Batchelor and Alexander show 11:55 PM
Clark Staten of Emergency.Com reports:
The man in Brazil did not die of anthrax.
He died of a bug that 'looked like' anthrax.
All his internal organs disintegrated.
Gruesome symptoms.
The ship in Canada has not been quarantined.
It is being released.
20
posted on
04/29/2003 9:01:00 PM PDT
by
Allan
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