FBI Says Anthrax Found In Victims "NOT Naturally Occuring Strain" Of Disease (ie: Weaponized?)

MSNBC

[MindBender26]

Few details at this time.

This could be a very serious development. There is possibility, how strong no one knows at this point, that the "not naturally occuring" strain of anthrax is a "weaponized" form of the diease.

Weaponized means it was genetically modified in a labaoritory so as to have different charactarisics than natural form. Could have much longer incubation period, not respond to traditional antibiotics, have different means of transmittal, possibly human to human,etc.

PS. I am not an expert in bioweaponry, far from it. However, I strongly suggest everyone read "The Cobra Event." It is about 50% fiction, 50% real, and very informative.

PS, If you have allready read the book, both the Pacific tests and "Reach Deep" are real events and organizations.

This is still a very developing story.

[homegroan]

I'm really beginning to hate Tuesdays.

[johniegrad]

Is your source the television? Also, did you have a title on "Front Page"?

[LeeMcCoy]

And saddam has that ever-so-charming gal as head of his germ-warfare program. What a sweetie she must be!

[johniegrad]

I'm stuck in my office all day. Any reports and updates on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, folks.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I think I just heard the sound of nuclear tipped howitzer shells being unstrapped from their cases.

[1Old Pro]

If this is traced to Saddam Hussein, will we still hesitate bombing Iraq to smitherines?

[okie_tech]

That better be what I'm hearing.

[R2]

Nope, we wouldn't allow innocents to be killed.

[Ozymandias Ghost]

I wouldn't get too exorcised on this one yet (although wouldn't discount it either). Info-babe last night use same terms on MSNBC (we at FR are thinking weaponized vs "garden variety" anthrax) when she appeared to be trying to distinguish between natural (that which occurs in nature) and that which was introduced to the site (a criminal act).

I think this is what they're driving at ...this is a criminal act or act of war ...it was not caused by a dead sheep that wandered into the air vents or camel fur that someone in the building was collecting for a sweater.

[DJ88]

Did we not just hear yesterday that the administration told the UN that more countries will be targeted? This is no "accident", sorry. ANTRAX just does not show up coincidentally in a mailroom in South Florida.

I hope the Taliban has fresh supplies of Depends on hand. They may or may not need them. Depending on what type of response we have pending this investigation.

[Uncle Fud]

It's a dreadful thing to say, but if an anthrax incident can be unequivocally traced to Iraq, it's probably a good thing in the long run.

[DJ88]

Thanks, MindBender. Keep us updated. DJ

[_Jim]

"not naturally occuring" = "Fedex'd from Iraq"

[somena2001]

Question for the Anthrax and Biology experts:

If this anthrax in Florida is somehow genetically altered, or modified - would that make detection harder?

My boyfriend lives in Florida - and he was here in Canada with me - and due to fly home the DAY of the attacks - but because we found out about it before trundling him off to the ferry - to Seattle, he was not on any of the plane. Frankly - I haven't gotten much sleep since then... and even less since he returned home - and EVEN less than that since the Anthrax story broke last week.

No - we are not buying gas-masks, nor stocking up on anti-biotics or anything like that... but for the past 4 days - I almost dread logging on to free republic to see more reports of this situation... and yet I feel compelled to - since News breaks faster here than anywhere - and it's nice to know other people share these concerns.

Thanks
MWW

[francisandbeans]

calling in an expert

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Clinton Legacy #143.786.GW9

Lacks the backbone to continue WMD inspections in Iraq.

[Red Jones]

bump

[WyldKard]

I don't think they mean it was genetically modified, I think they mean that it was planted there, that it wasn't picked up in the wild (the guy was a hunter, they were wondering if he got it from an animal carcass).

Of course, my response to that is "No duh!" Of COURSE it was a terrorist attack. Those guys must REALLY hate being made fun of in The Sun. Next, I suppose the FBI will be telling us they found water at the bottom of the ocean...

[NautiNurse]

Weaponized means it was genetically modified in a labaoritory so as to have different charactarisics than natural form. Could have much longer incubation period, not respond to traditional antibiotics, have different means of transmittal, possibly human to human,etc.

Mr. Stevens' anthrax cultures showed it was sensitive (responded to) the usual antibiotics, including penicillin. Unfortunately, his case was too far advanced for the antibiotics to help him.