Last Updated

15 Dec 2002

Source: USA Today, October 23, 2001.

N.J. worker may have inhalation anthrax

EWING, N.J. (AP) — A worker at a post office where anthrax-tainted letters were sent to New York and Washington is believed to have New Jersey's first case of inhaled anthrax, health officials said Tuesday. The mail handler, who didn't want her name released, is hospitalized in serious but stable condition, officials said. She fell ill last week and began taking antibiotics several days ago.

"She's holding her own but her condition has improved," said Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, the state epidemiologist.

The case, if confirmed by further tests, would be the first in New Jersey involving inhaled anthrax, a particularly dangerous form of the disease. Two other state postal workers -- letter carrier Teresa Heller of the West Trenton post office in Ewing and Patrick O'Donnell, 35, who sorts and loads mail in Hamilton -- have skin anthrax.

Authorities said inhalation anthrax has killed two postal workers in Washington this week, bringing the death toll from the nation's outbreak to three. A Florida tabloid worker died Oct. 5, also of inhaled anthrax.

The latest New Jersey victim also works at the Hamilton facility, which is fed by 46 smaller offices across the central part of the state.

The Hamilton office processed anthrax-laced letters addressed to NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle in Washington and the New York Post. The source of the letters is under investigation by the FBI and state authorities.

State authorities said they were unsure if letters containing anthrax could taint other mail and then infect people.

"We can't document cross-contamination at this point," state Health Commissioner George DiFerdinando said.

Hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail are being held at the Hamilton post office, which has been closed since last Thursday. Preliminary tests have found the presence of anthrax.

None of the samples from areas open to the public showed signs of anthrax, health spokeswoman Marilyn Riley said.

About 500 postal employees have been tested for anthrax. Workers were told Tuesday to begin 10-day antibiotic treatments immediately and any worker who may have had contact with the facility since Sept. 18 was urged to seek medical attention.

"Those workers who have not seen a physician or a nurse so far absolutely need to see a physician or nurse to receive this preventative prescription," DiFerdinando said.

Doctors and hospitals throughout the state have been alerted to look for possible cases of anthrax.

State health officials are also telling medical examiners to investigate any suspicious deaths during the past six weeks for evidence of the bacterium.