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CNN Live At Daybreak
Anthrax Scare: As FBI Investigates, Hundreds Get Tested for Exposure
Aired October 09, 2001 - 08:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back here in the U.S. now, I want to focus on one thing, and one of the things that seems to be frightening Americans most -- the threat of a bioterrorism attack. That's been brought into sharp focus with word of anthrax in Florida. Anthrax already killed one worker at a tabloid publishing company in southern Florida, and worried many others.
Two reports this morning. CNN's Susan Candiotti at a health facility in Del Ray Beach, where the Anthrax victims' co-workers are being tested, and Mark Potter at the center coordinating the investigation into the source of the anthrax.
And with that, Mark, we begin with you -- good morning.
MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Bill.
State and federal investigators still have a lot more questions than answers, but they are working quickly, and the FBI has stepped up its investigation.
Still to be determined: How one man was killed by anthrax. How another man, a co-worker, was exposed to the disease, although not infected, and how anthrax itself -- trace elements of the disease -- were found in the building where they both worked.
Now, that building is in Boca Raton, Florida. It houses the company, American Media, Incorporated, which publishes tabloid newspapers, including the "National Inquirer" and the "Sun." The man who died of anthrax was a photo editor there. The man exposed to the disease worked in the mail room.
Now, the building, we can see here, was sealed off by investigators, so that the FBI and the CDC can search the facility. Sources say that law enforcement is looking at packages and mail that may have been delivered to the building. They are also looking into anyone who may have had access to that building, including current and former employees.
State health officials, though, urge the public not to panic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. JOHN AGWUNOBI, FLORIDA SECRETARY OF HEALTH: I'm asking the people of Florida to remain calm. All indications -- all evidence that we have right now indicates that the only cases of anthrax are in the two individuals who worked in that building and a keyboard that was contaminated within that building -- Mr. Stevens' keyboard. It seems to us at this point in our investigation that there is nothing outside of the building that leads us to believe anyone else is at risk.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
POTTER: Now, as the Florida health secretary said, investigators say that they, indeed, did find trace elements of anthrax on the keyboard of Robert Stevens, the man who died, that was found in his work place at American Media.
One official says that it matches the anthrax organisms found in the bodies of the two men who were exposed, and that's considered an important discovery, because it narrows down the potential source.
Law enforcement officials and health officials tell CNN that scientists are still trying to determine what kind of anthrax this is -- what sort of strain. And two law enforcement officials have told us that it is something that they have never seen before.
The operating theory here is that this anthrax strain was brought into the building, but the question still to be answered is how and when that occurred, and whether it was done accidentally or intentionally -- Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Mark, thanks.
Once again, as mentioned, Susan Candiotti at a health facility at Delray Beach, where hundreds of people are being tested for anthrax.
Susan, an obvious question: Who is being tested, and why?
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Bill -- good morning to you.
Well, not only employees of AMI, but also anyone who may have been inside the building -- had any business at all with AMI since August 1. So this is the second day of testing here at a health clinic in Delray Beach -- the county health clinic. And hundreds of people showed up yesterday -- as many as 600 -- only a handful so far this day, because the doors don't open until less than an hour from now.
Why are they coming here? Well, for the second day in a row, people are coming here so that nasal swabs can be taken on them to test for the possible presence of anthrax, as well everyone is being given a 15-day supply of antibiotics, which might be extended to 60 days -- this as a preventive measure, health officials say.
Also everyone being told that they might be brought back at a later time to conduct blood tests. We've asked a couple of people who have shown up very early this morning -- very, very early, indeed -- for the testing. Now, both of you gentlemen did contract work for AMI. First talking to David Keiger (ph), you worked for a floor-cleaning service. Health officials have said that everyone should remain calm.
Do you feel that you're remaining calm about the situation?
DAVID KEIGER: I think I am. Yes.
CANDIOTTI: Tell me how you're able to do so.
KEIGER: I don't think I've been exposed as much as the rest of the folks have been and other folks have been cleared. I've only been in the building for three or four hours, so I don't think I'm at great risk.
CANDIOTTI: How much contact did you have with the building? Were you throughout the building?
Just several locations. Not -- I didn't -- I wasn't in there for very long, nor was I in very places in the building.
CANDIOTTI: All right. And let me ask you, Brad Gobrek (ph). You worked for an air conditioning service.
BRAD GOBREK: Correct.
CANDIOTTI: You were there -- what -- a couple of months ago?
GOBREK: Yes, a month or two ago.
CANDIOTTI: What kind of work did you do there?
GOBREK: Service work. They had a problem with their air conditioner, and I just went in and worked on the units.
CANDIOTTI: One of the things they are asking is whether you had any contact with the mail room, possibly with a photo lab. Did your work take you to either of those areas?
GOBREK: No, not at all. Basically, I went in the building and went straight up to the roof and worked on the units.
CANDIOTTI: I am told that there are about 20 people inside who are waiting to be tested. Do you have any personal concerns for you or for your family?
GOBREK: Not really. I don't feel I was exposed.
CANDIOTTI: All right. Health officials are asking everyone to come here. Do you know of any of your other co-workers who will also be coming here? And have you heard any who are experiencing some unease?
GOBREK: I haven't really talked to too many guys in our company, but basically all of the guys at our company sent there are being tested. And there is a few here right now. CANDIOTTI: Well, thank you very much to both of you for joining us this day. In a short time, they'll be going over as the doors open to have all of that testing done.
In addition, the people who show up here are being given questionnaires to be filled out -- asked to do so both by the FBI and the Centers for Disease Control, as well health officials -- asking questions such as: When you were inside the building, did you notice anything unusual? Did you have any contact with the photo lab or with the mail room, which is where the two employees, who were infected or exposed to anthrax, did work?
And once they fill out those questionnaires, they are given a set of antibiotics and might have to come back at a later time.
That's it from here thus far -- back to you.
HEMMER: All right. More later. Susan, thanks -- also Mark Potter, thanks as well.
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