(Circulation. 2001;104:e9042.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation Newswriter
Attempts to Stem Anthrax Fears Stumble
As public health officials and politicians attempted to stem the public’s anxiety about bioterrorism—in particular, anthrax sent through the mail—unexpected infections and deaths in postal workers exposed to contaminated mail derailed their "don’t worry" message. Only after anthrax contamination showed up at multiple postal sites, as well as in many areas of the Senate and House office buildings, did health officials admit that the form of anthrax that contaminated the letter sent to the office of Senate Majority Leader Sen Tom Daschle (D-SD) was highly processed to a fine powder that could seep out of the seams of envelopes and perhaps even the pores of the paper itself.
Postal workers, who had been assured that they did not need prophylactic treatment, were predictably angry when it was discovered that at least two of their own had died of inhalational anthrax. More suspected deaths and illnesses turned up as health officials began to screen those who had been in the nonpublic areas of post offices for anthrax exposure. Adding to the puzzle is the case of a New York hospital worker who died of inhalational anthrax on October 31, 2001.
In the October 26, 2001, issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2001;50:909–919), the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted, "This is the first bioterrorism-related anthrax attack in the United States, and the public health ramifications of this attack continue to evolve."
The agency updated the progress of its investigations in New Jersey, New York, Florida, and