Anthrax Confirmed in Florida

U.S. Confirms Isolated Case of Anthrax in Florida

By Randall Mikkelsen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An isolated case of anthrax infection was confirmed on Thursday in a Florida hospital, but there was no evidence of a biological warfare assault, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said.

``There is no evidence of terrorism,'' said Thompson, who also said the FBI and other agencies were investigating.

The report came as the United States is on heightened alert for possible terrorism attacks, including from chemical or biological weapons, after the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Anthrax -- a deadly bacterial disease spread by spores and generally confined to sheep, cattle, horses, goats and pigs -- is seen as a likely agent in any biological warfare attack because it can be deployed relatively easily. ``Inhalation'' anthrax, which infects the
lungs, is usually fatal.

Anthrax has been experimented with as a warfare agent but its use is banned by international treaty.

The disease is not spread from person to person and occurs sporadically in the United States, with most recent previous case reported within the last year in Texas, Thompson said.

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