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American Morning

Total Number of Anthrax Exposures Stands at 32

Aired October 25, 2001 - 10:02   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: Right now there are 13 confirmed cases of anthrax infections; nearly half are the more serious kind, and potentially deadly form of inhalation anthrax. Of those six people, three so far have died; three others undergoing treatment. Seven other people have been diagnosed with the more treatable form of cutaneous anthrax, the skin version. The total number of confirmed anthrax exposures right now stands at 32.

For the latest on the victims of the anthrax exposures now, CNN medical correspondent Rea Blakey once again live outside Silver Spring, Maryland. That's the Holy Cross Hospital where six suspected anthrax cases are now being treated.

Rea, bring us up to date this morning, and good morning to you.

REA BLAKEY, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Bill.

A little earlier this morning we heard from the Capitol Hill Physician Dr. Dan Eisold, who indicated that there is, in fact, someone here who is a member of the media. We're not certain if she's actually a reporter or what her specific role is -- but a journalist who was, in fact, on Capitol Hill who was admitted here at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring on Tuesday. Health officials anticipate that they will have test results to either confirm or deny whether or not she actually has an anthrax infection. That should be in on late tomorrow -- on Friday.

However, in the meanwhile, we're expecting that test results from at least two other people who are associated with the Brentwood mail facility should be due out a little later today. Again, in the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore area we have exactly four confirmed cases; two that have resulted in death, two other people who were listed in serious condition at a Virginia hospital.

And also need to mention to you, Bill, at this time that CNN has learned that there are a number of children in the area who have been affected. Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. reports that they have an 11-year-old male who is in good condition who is being treated for possible anthrax exposure, as well as a 2- year-old female who is also being treated.

In the meanwhile, there have been at least six other children who have been treated and released from that facility. We have no idea at this point, Bill, as to whether or not those children are related to, associated with either Brentwood postal workers or people who are members of the media. We're unable it confirm that at this time. The hospital is being tight-lipped, obviously, for matters of confidentiality. But we're not certain exactly what their relationship is to the other cases in the Washington area.

Overall, public health officials in this area looking at a total of 45 cases, some of those just suspicious. But as we mentioned, the numbers seem to escalate as the days go on -- Bill.

HEMMER: Rea, want to keep you here for a moment -- waiting on Tom Ridge, he should be out any moment right now.

We know last night at the White House there was a top-level meeting in the Roosevelt Room that took place to talk about homeland security and more safeguards that may or may not be put in place in the near term. What are you hearing, if anything, about how efforts could be coordinated at a better level?

BLAKEY: Well, I'm not hearing anything specific to the White House. I do know in regards to public health the authorities from the CDC and from the D.C. Public Health Department actually are quite pleased that the numbers are increasing because they say that's a sign that there is vigilant surveillance; that a number of these cases that they're looking at -- at this point there are 15 cases that have some clinical symptoms that they're looking at, which may be related, they believe, to anthrax exposure, and more than 20 at this point that have clinical symptoms that probably are not related.

But they think it's a good sign that the numbers actually go up. And, of course, we heard the information from the postmaster general specific to people in the public making sure to wash their hands thoroughly after they handle mail and, of course, the antibiotic treatments of all of the postal workers in the Washington, D.C. area. That treatment area also been (sic) extended to people who actually don't work for the postal service, but work for private companies, Bill, who actually pick up their mail from postal facilities around the area who may have visited the docket, the Brentwood facility, which is the main postal area where we had a number of hot spots.

So there is a concerted effort. But again, this is a learn-as- you-go kind of circumstance.

HEMMER: Sure is, yes; we know that, Rea. Rea Blakey outside Silver Spring, Maryland. Rea, thanks to you.

Let's get a bit more perspective now with Dr. Sanjay Gupta this morning. Morning to you, doctor.

We're coming to the time of the year that's called flu season. And there are people who are reporting flu-like symptoms and it's turned out to be an exposure to anthrax. What are we suggesting from a medical standpoint about whether you go ahead with that vaccination or not?

Going to stop you right here, sorry.

(INTERRUPTED BY CNN COVERAGE OF A LIVE EVENT)

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