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CNN Saturday Morning News

Anthrax Investigation in Connecticut Offers No Answers

Aired November 24, 2001 - 07:11   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now we want to bring you up to date on the anthrax investigation. Experts are trying to figure out how a Connecticut widow contracted a deadly case of the inhalation anthrax. So far, the investigation has brought up more questions than answers.

CNN's Brian Palmer joins us now from Oxford, Connecticut, with the latest. Hi, Brian.

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kyra.

We are in fact just a few yards from Ottilie Lundgren's house. She's the 94-year-old woman who died of anthrax last week.

An army of investigators has descended on this small Connecticut community to try and trace the source of that anthrax that killed her, but preliminary results from tests of her home, of her mailbox, of her trash, as well as area post offices, have yielded no trace of the disease.

Now, yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a new round of tests on her hair salon and on Town Hall to try and, you know, pick up any possible traces of the disease. Authorities say that results from a previous round of testing will be available today, but they stress that this is an ongoing investigation, constant and intensive investigation, so they don't promise any smoking guns any time soon.

Last night, authorities held a town hall meeting for area residents, residents of Oxford, Connecticut, as well as some surrounding communities. It was really an anthrax tutorial. They explained the history of the disease and they gave people some insight into the investigation.

During the question and answer period, I think people were most concerned with, How do we avoid getting the disease? And whether authorities are doing enough to prevent any possible contamination from sources that may still be out there.

Now, today, in a few hours, Ottilie Lundgren's funeral will be held at the Emanuel Lutheran Church. That's her church, just a few yards behind us, just a few yards over my shoulder. The family has asked the public and media, particularly cameras, to maintain a respectful distance and honor their privacy -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Brian Palmer with the latest from Oxford, Connecticut, thank you.

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