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CNN Live At Daybreak

Investigators Looking for Anything to Explain How Hospital Worker Contracted Inhalation Anthrax

Aired November 02, 2001 - 08:07   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the issue of the anthrax investigation, where investigators, obviously, continue to search for clues. They are looking for anything that explains how a 61-year-old hospital worker contracted inhalation anthrax.

Our own Jason Carroll is standing by that hospital, where Kathy Nguyen worked -- good morning, Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Paula.

Well, doctors took a culture from Kathy Nguyen, and they were able to confirm that this same strain of anthrax that killed her is the same strain of anthrax that was sent to Senator Tom Daschle's office, and to various media organizations. That could indicate that that bacteria came from the same source. But at this point, they still have no idea how Kathy Nguyen was exposed to anthrax.

But what they've done is they've taken environmental samples from the hospital, where she worked, Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. They have also taken environmental samples from her apartment in the Bronx. So far, all of those samples have come back negative.

Also, in other news, more test results are back from the Morgan processing facility. Now, Paula, I'm sure you remember, that is the mail distribution center here in Manhattan where traces of anthrax were found on four mail sorting machines up on the third floor. Now, more tests are back, and what they have found is two more machines there, at that facility, were found to have traces of anthrax.

Now, what health officials are recommending is, they're recommending that the employees there take an additional 50-day supply of Cipro. But that is not good enough for the postal union. They want that facility shut down. And in fact, what they're doing is they're going to a federal judge on Tuesday, and they're going to ask that federal judge to have that facility shut down. But for now, that facility remains open.

As for Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, this facility remains closed, while more testing is being done -- Paula.

ZAHN: I know it's very difficult to read the minds, or the mind, of a judge, but have you heard much speculation about how that judge will deal with that request to shut down the postal office?

CARROLL: Well, you know, Paula, you have to wonder. Here, you have a facility that's been shut down, and there has been no trace of anthrax found here at this hospital, but it was still shut down as a precaution. Take a look at the governor's office, for example. You remember that case. Traces of anthrax were found at the governor's office, and as a precaution, his office was shut down even for just for a few days.

So you have to wonder what a judge will say, where there have been traces of anthrax found at that facility, at the Morgan facility, and yet, it still remains open. So you have to wonder what he'll do, or she will do.

ZAHN: Exactly. Don't know who it's going to be assigned to just yet. Jason Carroll, thanks so much.

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