Anthrax: New inhalation case

SUMMARY:

Two postal workers who recently died may have been anthrax victims, Washington authorities said Monday, stressing that the tests are not yet conclusive.

In addition, a second postal worker from the Brentwood mail facility has been diagnosed with inhalation anthrax, according to Dr. Ivan Walks, Washington's chief health officer. This marks the fourth confirmed case of inhalation anthrax since October 1. Another postal worker who worked at the Brentwood facility was also diagnosed with this more deadly form of anthrax on Sunday.

Testing continues on more than 2,000 postal employees at two Washington-area mail facilities for possible anthrax exposure.

The United States Capitol opened for legislative business Monday, although House and Senate office buildings remain closed while tests continue for anthrax. Environmental sweeps at the Capitol for anthrax came back negative, Capitol Police Lt. Dan Nichols said. The findings prompted scientists and health care professionals to suggest the building reopen, he said.

CASE HISTORY:



		• Summary • Case history • Key questions • Bottom line



IN-DEPTH

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EXTRA INFORMATION

•	Anthrax symptoms


•	Tracking the bacteria

RESOURCES
•	Advice on suspicious packages

•	Message board

Infections -- 10

Florida -- Robert Stevens, dead of inhalation anthrax

Washington -- Two Capitol Hill postal workers, both inhalation anthrax

New York -- New York Post employee, cutaneous anthrax infection

New York -- NBC News woman, cutaneous anthrax infection

New York -- ABC News, baby of producer, cutaneous anthrax infection

Florida -- Ernesto Blanco, very ill; the Centers for Disease Control call it a case of inhaled anthrax infection

New York -- CBS employee in Dan Rather's office, cutaneous anthrax infection

New Jersey -- A Hamilton Township postal worker, cutaneous anthrax infection; a second postal worker in Trenton, New Jersey also tested positive for the same infection

Exposures -- 32

Washington -- 28 people in the Hart Senate Office Building

Florida -- Stephanie Dailey, an American Media Inc. employee

New York -- One police officer, two lab technicians who were investigating NBC News facility

Outstanding

Two postal workers from the Brentwood facility in Washington may have died from anthrax.

KEY QUESTIONS:

Is there a connection between the September 11 attacks and the recent anthrax scares?

What should be done with a suspicious package? Click here for more

Are antibiotics available to combat anthrax? Click here for more

How quickly do anthrax symptoms manifest? Click here for more

What does "weapons-grade" anthrax mean? Click here for more

What is being done about anthrax hoaxes? Click here for more

Where is anthrax produced?

Does anthrax serve any other medical purpose?

BOTTOM LINE:

Recent anthrax scares across the United States have heightened the anxiety level of a nation still reeling from the terrorist attacks on September 11. In the days to come, investigators will try to determine whether the anthrax originated domestically or internationally, and whether it is connected to the events of September 11.