Wednesday October 10 8:35 PM ET

Third Person Tests Positive for Anthrax in Florida

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Reuters) - A third person has tested positive for anthrax in Florida and the probe into the source of the disease is now a criminal investigation, officials said on Wednesday.

``We have an additional employee that has been found to have anthrax present,'' said FBI special agent in charge Hector Pesquera.

Acting U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis said the investigation was now considered a criminal probe. Pesquera stressed there was no indication the anthrax was produced or caused by a terrorist group or individuals related to the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Investigators have been looking into the source of anthrax that killed one man at the offices of tabloid publishers American Media Inc. in Boca Raton, Florida. A mailroom employee, was also exposed to the disease and on Wednesday officials announced a 35-year-old woman tested positive.

Officials stressed the exposure was limited to the AMI building.

Experts say the rare disease can be used as a biological warfare agent. But a senior government health official earlier on Wednesday sought to allay any such fears in this case.

``If this was a massive exposure, there should be lots of people sick. We are not finding that,'' Dr. Scott Lillibridge, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson's special assistant for bioterrorism, told members of Congress in Washington.

But the Florida contamination has fueled fears in a public already on edge over last month's hijack attacks.

Many Boca Raton residents have pointed to the fact that some of the suspected hijackers lived in south Florida in recent months and some made inquiries about crop-dusting planes.

Federal investigators grounded crop-dusters for a period last month out of concern they could be used in biological or chemical attacks. Such flights have now resumed.

-- More Victims Likely (After the @ Incubation. Period), October 10, 2001

Answers

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- The tragic mystery surrounding the anthrax contamination of American Media's offices took a bizarre turn today as panicked consumers, terrified they may contract the disease from the company's tabloids, flooded supermarkets with calls.

"People are afraid to pick up [the titles]," said a top industry executive who had been in touch with American Media CEO David Pecker today.

The executive said people feared that "if they go into stores they're going to contract the disease."

Calling the CDC

Mr. Pecker was taking the extraordinary step of contacting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta in order to get the agency to issue a statement reassuring consumers that anthrax contamination from such sources was impossible.

American Media's offices in Boca Raton, Fla., remained closed as authorities continued their investigation.

American Media publishes the National Enquirer, The Star, and The Sun.

No printing in Florida

A spokesman for American Media said he was aware of consumers' fears, and reiterated they were in no danger. The spokesman added that American Media's titles are printed at "half a dozen locations across the country, none of which are in Florida."

Mr. Pecker did not return a call seeking comment.

Last week a photo editor for The Sun died from the disease. Another employee tested positive for anthrax spores, although he exhibited no symptoms. A spokesman today denied a New York Post report of a third employee being contaminated.

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On a personal note, I have apparently contracted pneumonia, which is why I am home posting in the middle of the day. Among the battery of pills, steroids and inhalers I am taking is Cipro, the anthrax anti- biotic...I just KNEW I shouldn't have picked up The Weekly World News to read about Bat-Boy!

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeed@yahoo.com), October 11, 2001.

Oh dear. Get lots of rest, Unk!

-- helen (hugs@for.unk), October 11, 2001.

Jeez, Unk. I thought you were kidding about the coughing, etc. As Helen said, get lots of rest and drink lots of water to clear congestion.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), October 11, 2001.

Howdy Unc:

I hope you are feeling better. I have been home for 3 days and hope I am in the recovery phase. I can post in the day and pick on Anita.

A third person has tested positive for anthrax in Florida

Another piece of trash journalism. The person tested positive for the organism not for Anthrax; the disease Notice how the government folks are making a point of explaining this on the news. They are now nearer to correct instead of what they originally said.

I was amused by Ashcroft's attemps to pronounce the name of the organism. I still haven't heard him get it right. :)

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), October 11, 2001.

Z, given that anthrax spores are common, wouldn't nearly anyone test positive for exposure?

-- helen (enquiring@goats.want.to.know), October 11, 2001.

Helen:

Only those folks who root in the dirt with their noses. Now this is not meant to be a criticism of social habits which may exist in parts of the country. :))

Best Wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), October 11, 2001.

What about people who accidentally root dirt with their noses while under attack from unruly goats??

-- helen (Burn@the.boogers?), October 11, 2001.

Only those folks who root in the dirt with their noses. Now this is not meant to be a criticism of social habits

LOL, Z. BTW, I don't mind at all your picking on me. Lars and I share this "teasing" sort of relationship, as well, but [as Helen inferred in another thread], I think of you both as siblings. I'll even be the older sibling, Z. Heh.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), October 11, 2001.

Helen:

Even being near goats would increase the possibility of testing positive. Just read a paper demonstrating a gene for resistance to anthrax [the disease and not the organism] in rodents. There is some suggestion that it might exist in humans. You may be one of those.

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), October 11, 2001.

Z, this is GOOD, right...?

-- helen (use@little.words), October 11, 2001.

I only got a little dirt up my nose...I didn't inhale...

Is is too late to slaughter the goats and switch to rat production?

-- helen is home due to unemployment AGAIN (can@we.milk.rats?), October 11, 2001.