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CNN Live At Daybreak

Ninety Four Year Old Diagnosed With Anthrax

Aired November 21, 2001 - 06:46   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Just moments ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that an elderly woman in Connecticut has, indeed, been infected with anthrax. Experts say that she suffers from the inhaled form of anthrax, and if today's results are positive, that would be certainly a new state added to the anthrax map.

Shelly Sindlin (ph), of CNN affiliate WTIF, reports on why this case is one of the most puzzling of all.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe she came to the hospital with a family member.

SHELLY SINDLIN (ph), CNN AFFILIATE WTIF REPORTER (voice-over): The 94-year-old woman was rushed to the hospital, not by ambulance, but by relatives, who thought she had an upper respiratory infection. But doctors say because her health deteriorated so quickly within an hour of her admittance, they suspected anthrax. Five tests later, it appears they were right.

DR. KENNETH DOBULAR, GRIFFIN HOSPITAL: All of the laboratory tests done so far, both at Griffin Hospital and the State Health Department, are consistent with an anthrax bacillus infection.

SINDLIN (ph): The final tests should be done by the CDC in Atlanta, which will rule out any doubt.

DR. STEPHANIE WAIN, GRIFFIN HOSPITAL LABORATORY: The tests that's being now done in Atlanta is called a PCR test, which essentially is a DNA test, and that is going to essentially confirm whether it is truly anthrax or not.

PATRICK CHARMEL, GRIFFIN HOSPITAL: Let's not lose sight of the fact that the ultimate definitive test has not yet been performed, so there is a possibility, and we're frankly all hopeful that it isn't anthrax.

SINDLIN (ph): While anthrax is not contagious, the woman's clothes have been quarantined as a precautionary measure.

BILL POWANDA, GRIFFIN HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR: The clothing has been bagged in protective sealed containers. We anticipate that those containers will be provided either to CDC or to the FBI.

SINDLIN (ph): Doctors say the woman's age makes her even more vulnerable to this most deadly form of anthrax.

DR. HOWARD QUNTZEL, INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Historically, the mortality rate for anthrax -- inhalational anthrax has been 85 percent.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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