Case 21 CONFIRMED

Characteristics 38-year old man, employee of New York Post
Onset date October 23, 2001
Medical care date October 28, 2001
MMWR date 50 (44), Nov. 9, 2001
Location New York City
Probable source Letters postmarked September 18
Disease type Cutaneous Anthrax
Details This is the third case of cutaneous anthrax reported among employees at the New York Post and is probably associated with a contaminated letter postmarked September 18 that was handled during October 12-15. On October 23, the patient noted a small nonerythematous, nonpruritic, and painless lesion on his forehead. On October 28, a physician evaluated the patient and described a lesion 1.4 cm in diameter, the center of which was depressed and dark gray; the same day, he was started on ciprofloxacin. A biopsy was positive for Bacillus anthracis by culture and immunohistochemical staining.

Click for news account of Mark Cunningham (11/2/01)

Click for Yale news account of Mark Cunningham (11/6/01)

Death date Not applicable