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Anthrax Strikes U.S. Senator's Office, No Link to September 11th
WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (News Agencies) - U.S. President George W. Bush confirmed Monday that anthrax powder had been discovered in the offices of the most powerful member of the U.S. Senate, Democratic Majority Leader Tom Daschle.
"His [Daschle's] office received a letter and it had anthrax in it," Bush said. "The letter was field-tested. And the staffers that have been exposed are being treated."
Amid a wave of anthrax scares in the United States and worldwide, Bush said no link had been established between the various outbreaks and bin Laden, the prime suspect behind the September 11th terrorist onslaught on the United States.
"I wouldn't put it past him, but we don't have hard evidence yet," said Bush.
The president was speaking as U.S. forces bombed Afghanistan for an eighth day and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited the region to discuss a post-Taliban government for Afghanistan.
"I'm concerned deeply for my staff," said Daschle, who said he was "disappointed and angered" that "innocent people have been caught up" in the latest anthrax strike.
Staff members in Daschle's office were being tested for anthrax, a particularly virulent bacteria and the germ warfare weapon of choice for bio-terrorists, according to some experts.
By Monday, U.S. authorities had discovered 13 people contaminated with various forms of the deadly anthrax bacteria. Two people have contracted the disease, and one of them has died, news agencies reported.
With at least 12 people testing positive for exposure to the bacteria, U.S. public officials tried to quell growing fear over the outbreak, which saw police called in to deal with more than 100 suspicious packages in New York in 24 hours.
Hysteria over letters containing white powder has spread worldwide, amid false alarms and hoax calls.
Sixteen buildings across Australia were hit by hoaxes, forcing authorities to step up security.
In Paris, the prosecutor's office opened preliminary investigations after a series of alarms, and 12 people were placed under hospital care. Cases were also being investigated as far away as Brazil and the Czech Republic.
A breakdown of the cases:
FLORIDA
Robert Stevens, 63: a photo editor for The Sun tabloid died on October 5th of respiratory anthrax, reportedly after handling a letter addressed to actress Jennifer Lopez, care of the paper, and which contained a bluish powder.
Ernesto Blanco, 73, did not contract the disease but was hospitalized and treated with antibiotics. He worked in the mailroom of American Media Inc. (AMI) where the
Sun's offices are located.
Stephanie Dailey, 36, tested positive for exposure but showed no symptoms of the disease. She also worked at the
Sun.
Tests showed that five more people in the AMI building were exposed to the bacteria but did not contract the disease.
NEW YORK
NBC News employee Erin O'Connor, 38, developed a subcutaneous form of the disease after opening a letter addressed to news anchor Tom Brokaw. That strain is far less serious than respiratory anthrax.
A police officer and two laboratory employees tested positive for anthrax spores, but they have not developed the disease.
WASHINGTON D.C.
Preliminary tests on Monday showed that an aide working for Senate majority leader Tom Daschle was exposed to anthrax spores after opening a letter addressed to Daschle.
RENO (Nevada)
Anthrax bacteria also were discovered in mail at a Microsoft office in Reno, Nevada, but officials reported no infections there.
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