Source of anthrax probed in Florida
| • | Graphic: How the disease works |
By Amanda Riddle
Associated Press
BOCA RATON, Fla. — FBI agents wearing white moon suits and gas masks scoured the newspaper offices of two men whose exposure to anthrax has prompted heightened fear of bioterrorism across the country.
The search turned up no further sign of anthrax in Robert Stevens' office since traces were discovered on his computer keyboard. Stevens, 63, a photo editor with the Sun tabloid, died last week of inhaled anthrax, a rare, particularly lethal form of the disease.
Anthrax spores also were found in the nose of mailroom worker Ernesto Blanco, 73. He remained in good condition at an area hospital, Florida health department spokesman Tim O'Connor said.
Health officials said there have been no additional cases of contamination, but some 770 people were awaiting test results to determine whether they had contact with the anthrax at the Boca Raton headquarters of publisher American Media Inc. It could take weeks for blood test results to come back.
The AMI building was shut down as FBI crews removed bags of evidence filled with plastic containers resembling Tupperware. One contained what appeared to be a next-day air envelope.
"We have in essence gone into the building, cleaned the building out, taken all samples as possible, and are following any trail — any possible trail," President Bush said in Washington. "Thus far it looks like it's a very isolated incident."
The CDC has said it has virtually ruled out environmental causes as the source. Attorney General John Ashcroft has stated there is no indication of terrorism in the anthrax case, but said the case could become a "clear criminal investigation."
Meanwhile, emergency officials responded to calls around the state about suspicious white powders being mailed or delivered to homes and businesses. The anthrax cases also prompted reports of possible infections in Texas and Wisconsin.
Firefighters in suburban Fort Lauderdale were quarantined for 12 hours, and officials closed a bank and law firm in Naples, on Florida's west coast. Dozens of people were sent to hospitals for tests, but there were no reports of anyone becoming sick.
O'Connor said yesterday that it was "highly unlikely" that anthrax could be transported through a white powder.
In Temple Hills, Md., outside Washington, an armed man sprayed a substance into a subway station during a scuffle with police. Authorities took the man into custody and said it did not appear to be a terrorist act.
An Internal Revenue Service tax processing center in Covington, Ky., was locked down yesterday after an employee reported receiving a letter that contained a white powder. Preliminary tests found no harmful substances, police said.
Federal authorities said yesterday they are awaiting test results to determine whether the strain of anthrax that killed Stevens was manmade or natural. The germ can be used as a biological weapon.
Earlier yesterday, federal officials said they believed the bacteria was manmade, but they later said tests had not been completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health officials have emphasized that there is no public health threat. Anthrax tests at Stevens' home were negative, said Dr. Jean Malecki, director of the Palm Beach Health Department.
