Man Accidentally Exposed To Anthrax...

[Zim Hosein]

NEW YORK -- A New York City man has been hospitalized after inhaling anthrax, but officials believe it was accidental and not related to terrorism, NewsChannel 4's Jonathan Dienst reported Wednesday.

The man became sick shortly after returning from a recent trip to the west coast of Africa, said a federal law enforcement official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The official said the anthrax may have been on animal skins.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the illness of the 44-year-old man "what we believe at this point to be a completely isolated and accidental case" of anthrax infection. No other illnesses have been reported, although he said three other people who may have been exposed were being treated with antibiotics.

The man became ill while in Pennsylvania and remains hospitalized in fair condition, the mayor said. Pennsylvania health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control confirmed the case as inhalation anthrax on Wednesday, the mayor said.

Searches for contamination were under way in the man's rented storage and work area in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, his vehicle, and in his West Village apartment, Bloomberg said.

Aides to the mayor said the man was recovering in a hospital in Sayre, Pa.

It was not clear how the man came into contact with the deadly substance, but mayor's aides said it was related to his job and that federal and city officials traced the exposure to New York City after the man became ill in Pennsylvania.

Officials stressed that the case is unique and not related to any kind of intentional attack.

Weeks after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the nation was on high alert as anthrax-laced letters popped up in several places, including New York City. NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, two U.S. senators and the offices of the New York Post were among the targets.

The anthrax attacks killed five people across the country, including a New York City hospital worker and two postal workers, and sickened 17. Investigators never determined who was responsible for the attacks.

Stay tuned to NewsChannel 4 and wnbc.com for more details throughout the day.

© 2006 by WNBC.com The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Man Accidentally Exposed To Anthrax

I thought Anthrax was engineered in a lab?

 

[JDrake]

Eeek! Get outta PA ! :Q

 

[ni4ni]

A study proved a hot iron destroyed anthrax. Couldn't they use steam on animal skins to get rid of it?

 

[archiloco]

developed or found at aTm researching cows or something like that

 

[Reggae4k]

anthrax is also naturally occuring in animals

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: ni4ni
A study proved a hot iron destroyed anthrax. Couldn't they use steam on animal skins to get rid of it?

I never heard about that, though that is very interesting.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Reggae4k
anthrax is also naturally occuring in animals

Then how come people don't get sick more often?

 

[Sentinel]

Of course it is a cover up.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: Reggae4k
anthrax is also naturally occuring in animals

Then how come people don't get sick more often?

How Anthrax Works

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: Reggae4k
anthrax is also naturally occuring in animals

Then how come people don't get sick more often?

How Anthrax Works

The threat of anthrax as a biological weapon has become a real concern for everyone. Anthrax is a disease caused not by a virus, but rather by bacteria. There aren't any known cases of anthrax passing from one person to another, so it is considered to be noncontagious. It is still a large threat, however, because if it isn't recognized and treated quickly enough it can be deadly. Bacillus anthracis is the bacterium that causes the disease anthrax. It has historically affected herbivores like cattle, sheep or other grazing herds, but has also been a threat to humans who work with these animals and their by-products.

While in the ground or on a surface, anthrax spores are relatively harmless, but once they come into contact with the right environment they begin to germinate. They need an environment that is rich in amino acids, nucleosides and glucose -- like those elements found in blood and other tissues in humans or animals. Once there, a series of changes takes place that can make these bacteria deadly to its host.

It still seems like more people should be affected

 

[MX2]

Yeah, because the government wouldnt lie to us

 

[ni4ni]

Originally posted by: S Freud

Originally posted by: ni4ni
A study proved a hot iron destroyed anthrax. Couldn't they use steam on animal skins to get rid of it?

I never heard about that, though that is very interesting.

Here is a link about it

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: MX2times
Yeah, because the government wouldnt lie to us

Don't make this a P&N thread MX2times

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

I saw this article... the guy makes musical instruments from animal hides.

I was going to post it but I couldn't resist the urge to make the obvious "skin flute" joke.