CASES OF ANTHRAX ASSOCIATED WITH MAIL PATHS OF CONTAMINATED ENVELOPES

The mail paths of the implicated envelops and the intended sites are shown for the 22 cases (case 10 was removed by CDC on Dec. 7, 2001). While most of the September 18 mailings resulted in cutaneous anthrax (9/11 or 82%),  all but two coming from the October 9 envelopes resulted in inhalational anthrax (9/10 or 90%).  Only four envelops were recovered, yet seven or eight were likely sent. The source envelope for cases 18 and 23 remains unaccounted for by CDC but based on news accounts, is likely the October 9th mailing.  The origin of Case 22 remains a mystery.

Source (modification): Jernigan JA et al. Investigation of Bioterrorism-Related Anthrax, United States, 2001: Epidemiologic Findings, Emerging Infectious Diseases 8(10), 1019-28, October 2002.