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Anthrax Shown in Co-Worker
Fox News ^ | October 8, 2001 | Unknown

Posted on 10/08/2001 5:30:32 AM PDT by Maceman

Officials: Anthrax Shown in Co-Worker

Monday, October 08, 2001


BOCA RATON, Fla.  — A co-worker of the man who died last week from anthrax also has tested positive for the disease and the building where both worked was closed after the bacterium was detected there. 

The latest case, a man whose name was not immediately made public, was in stable condition Monday at an unidentified hospital, according to both the Florida and North Carolina health departments.

A nasal swab from the patient tested positive for the anthrax bacterium, said Tim O'Conner, regional spokesman for Florida's health department. It was not yet clear if anthrax had only infiltrated his nose, spread to his lungs or if he had a full-blown case of the disease.

The man's co-worker, Bob Stevens, died on Friday, the first person in 25 years in the United States to have died from a rare inhaled form of anthrax.

News that Stevens had contracted the disease set off fears of bio-terrorism, especially when it was revealed that Middle Eastern men were believed to have recently visited an airfield about 40 miles from Stevens' home in Lantana and asked questions about crop-dusters.

O'Conner said there is no evidence that either man was a victim of terrorism. ``That would take a turn in the investigation,'' he said. ``It's a different aspect, we were thinking more of environmental sources.''

Stevens, 63, was a photo editor at the supermarket tabloid The Sun. Environmental tests performed at the Sun's offices in Boca Raton detected the anthrax bacteria, said O'Conner.

The Sun's offices have been shuttered and law enforcement, local and state health and CDC officials were to take additional samples from the building on Monday, O'Conner said.

About 300 people who work in the building are being contacted by the Sun and instructed not come to work Monday and undergo antibiotic treatment to prevent the disease.

The FBI was helping in the search for the source of the bacterium, said Miami FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela. But ``the current risk of anthrax is extremely low,'' O'Conner said.

It was unclear when the final tests would tell whether or not the second man has full-blown anthrax. The bacterium normally has an incubation period of up to seven days, but could take up to 60 days to develop, O'Conner said.

``We're waiting for additional testing to see if it will become a confirmed case of anthrax or not,'' said Barbara Reynolds, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. ``I realize for the public this is going to be a very slight distinction.''

Michael Kahane, vice president and general counsel of American Media Inc., which publishes the Sun and two other tabloids, the Globe and the National Enquirer, confirmed the company closed its Boca Raton building at the request of state health officials.

``We are cooperating with the department of health and all other governmental agencies investigating this matter,'' he said Monday. ``Obviously our first concern is the health and well-being of our employees and their families.''

Only 18 inhalation cases in the United States were documented in the 20th century, the most recent in 1976 in California. State records show the last anthrax case in Florida was in 1974.

Officials believe Stevens contracted anthrax naturally in Florida. The disease can be contracted from farm animals or soil, though the bacterium is not normally found among wildlife or livestock in the state. Stevens was described as an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and gardening.

County medical examiners are looking over any unexplained deaths, but have not found any cases connected to anthrax. Veterinarians have been told to be on alert for animals who might have the disease, but none have turned up.

Health officials are checking intensive care units of area hospitals to check records going back 30 days for suspicious cases. They should be finished Monday, said O'Conner.



TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
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To: ProudFossil
One disturbing thought. Supermarket tabloids like the Sun and National Enquirer get shipped all over the country and placed over practically every checkout aisle in every supermarket in the US.

What if somebody figures out how to give the tabloid paper an anthrax insert?

21 posted on 10/08/2001 6:02:03 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor
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To: Basil314
Very interesting. If this is in the building then it has no relation to him being a outdoorsman, unless you can bring it in on your shoes. But then what would make it inhaled. The package sounds possible, but still what would of made it airborne without a delivery of somekind.

They have said they would target the immoral part of our society - Tabloids could be percieved that way. But with a 2nd employee with it, makes it beyond the realm of accidental or natural I would think.

22 posted on 10/08/2001 6:06:16 AM PDT by GrandmaC
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To: francisandbeans
any connection between the four bleeding patients?

Way too soon to know. The blood tests haven't even been completed yet. This happened only a few hours ago.

There are many other things that can cause bleeding of this nature, and it might just be a remarkable coincidence that these four women were admitted in the middle of the night.

When I get further information, I'll be sure to pass it on. I hope to report that it's all a false alarm.

23 posted on 10/08/2001 6:08:21 AM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: DB
If they found Anthrax in the building, how can that possibly be "a natural occurrence"???

A definite contradiction, unless The Sun keeps animal herds in the building.

The reports in the Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel are now dropping references to the fact that some of the terrorists stayed in Palm Beach County, and reportedly flew planes from an airfield very close to the Sun; instead they are referencing only the cropduster incident, 40 miles away. The Palm Beach Post story still references the Palm Beach County terrorist connection.

I'm not normally paranoid, but this disinformation is getting on my nerves.

24 posted on 10/08/2001 6:08:55 AM PDT by browardchad
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To: Maceman
Google search for Anthrax

Another Case of Anthrax in Fla. (ABCNEWS.com - 10/8/2001)
Anthrax Death Brings Back Memories (Excite AP - 10/7/2001)
Source of Florida Anthrax Case Is Sought (Washington Post - 10/5/2001)

25 posted on 10/08/2001 6:09:14 AM PDT by It'salmosttolate
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To: SauronOfMordor
While I've avoided this issue for the most part, I have to say that yours is the first explaination I have heard as to why anyone would target these specific people.

That said, my understanding of the disease doesn't make me think such an attack would be very successful.

26 posted on 10/08/2001 6:10:03 AM PDT by sharktrager
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To: SauronOfMordor
One disturbing thought. Supermarket tabloids like the Sun and National Enquirer get shipped all over the country and placed over practically every checkout aisle in every supermarket in the US.

JMO, but I don't think that all the copies of the Sun and the National Enquirer are printed at the same location. The tabloids probably send a computer copy to a "local" printer(such as a printer in California, for the west coast). The tabloids are printed there and then "physically" sent out to retail outlets.

27 posted on 10/08/2001 6:11:11 AM PDT by Dane
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To: Basil314
Re #11, putting on my tin foil hat for the duration.
28 posted on 10/08/2001 6:12:23 AM PDT by secondamendmentkid
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To: Maceman
Move along, nothing to see here. Just another isolated incident.
29 posted on 10/08/2001 6:12:43 AM PDT by AntiKev
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To: Basil314
I have found out through very reliable local sources (employee who used to work there) that a package was mailed to the Stephens guy.

My theory throughout this whole incident is that The Sun was trying to do an expose on how easy it would be to get anthrax. The media has been outdoing itself trying to show us how lax airport security is and how unprepared we are for terrorist attacks. I say The Sun wanted to trump everyone with the acquisition of a biological weapon and it backfired horribly on them.

30 posted on 10/08/2001 6:12:45 AM PDT by randog
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To: Dane
ping
31 posted on 10/08/2001 6:15:44 AM PDT by GailA
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To: randog
Nah, I think we better avoid any of those scratch and sniff cards in mags. I can't imagine why this paper would be targeted rather than cosmo,,,that now is an offensive mag. Not just to the taliban.
32 posted on 10/08/2001 6:16:12 AM PDT by cajungirl
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To: SauronOfMordor
Re. #21, It's either Tom Clancey move over for a new novelist OR I need to give you my tin foil hat. Not sure which.
33 posted on 10/08/2001 6:16:58 AM PDT by secondamendmentkid
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To: LSJohn
Florida just seems like a strange target area to me. Except that these folks were with The Sun they're still kind of innocuous targets.

It's tough to get a feel for possible motives in this one.

34 posted on 10/08/2001 6:17:00 AM PDT by rdavis84
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Comment #35 Removed by Moderator

To: randog
"The Sun wanted to trump everyone with the acquisition of a biological weapon and it backfired horribly on them.

Or perhaps they had "an exclusive interview" with a "terrorist" who brought more than information with him or her. I wonder how easy it is to gain access to the building?

36 posted on 10/08/2001 6:19:33 AM PDT by browardchad
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To: All
I didn't think any signs of it was found at the dead man's home. So wouldn't that dispute the fact that he had picked it up naturally?
37 posted on 10/08/2001 6:20:28 AM PDT by kassie
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To: Maceman
bump

keep us informed(:^{

38 posted on 10/08/2001 6:20:49 AM PDT by Bob Evans
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To: OWK
Okay, you're convincing me. This is not an accident, coincidence, or unrelated incident. Well, it may be unrelated, but not a "natural occurrence" of anthrax.

What really concerns me is the lack of forthrightness from officials, and the apparent absence of a truly free press.

39 posted on 10/08/2001 6:23:10 AM PDT by KillerWabbit
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To: Seeking the truth
The disease can be contracted from farm animals or soil

Also, as a photo editor, he was probably on the road everyday all over Florida - shooting pics.

Sheesh, I am a nature photographer, often tromp around in the marshes and wilderness, the more wild the better. Do you know, is this a disease of domesticated animals and their environment. Maybe I'll take up photography of urban environments. On second thought . . .

40 posted on 10/08/2001 6:25:14 AM PDT by LoneGreenEyeshade
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