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2nd Anthrax Case Found in U.S.
The FBI took over the investigation of a Florida man's anthrax death on Monday after the germ was found in the nose of a co-worker and on a computer keyboard in their office.
"We regard this as an investigation that could become a clear criminal investigation," Attorney General John Ashcroft said during a news conference in Washington. "We don't have enough information to know whether this could be related to terrorism or not."
The FBI sealed off the Boca Raton office building housing the supermarket tabloid The Sun, where the men worked. How the bacterial spores got into the newspaper's office was still under investigation.
More than 200 people lined up for antibiotics and anthrax tests by late afternoon.
"I feel nervous. I'm worried for everybody," said David Hayes, an editor for the Star, another tabloid headquartered in the building
Anthrax cannot be spread from person to person, but all 300 employees in the building ¡ª and anyone who spent more than an hour inside since Aug. 1 ¡ª were advised to visit Palm Beach County's health agency. Antibiotics can be used to treat anthrax, though the form that caused last week's death is particularly lethal.
Health officials said there was no public health threat, even to building employees. "The risk is low," said Dr. John Agwunobi, Florida secretary of health.
Ashcroft said the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta was providing expertise in the case. Florida Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan confirmed the FBI was in control of the investigation.
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