Mayor Bloomberg: Man exposed to anthrax in isolated incident

(New York -WABC, February 22, 2006) (WABC) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other city officials are reassuring the public there is no danger after a man of African descent was exposed to anthrax in New York City.

The man traveled recently to the west coast of Africa and became ill after his return. Aides to the mayor said only the one man was injured, and that he is recovering in a hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Federal and city officials reportedly traced the exposure to New York City after the man became ill there.

Officials stressed that the case is NOT related to any kind of terrorist attack.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a 3:30 p.m. news conference to reassure New Yorkers. He was joined by a large group of city managers from the NYPD, FDNY, other agencies and the FBI. He started off the news conference by saying this is, "a completely isolated and accidental case of anthrax infection in our city."

The mayor went to to say, "Last Thursday, February 16th, 2006, a 44-year-old resident of our city became ill while in Pennsylvania. He was admitted to a hospital in that state and is under care there in stable condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

The mayor said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control confirmed that it's a case of inhalation anthrax. The Pennsylvania Department of Health also confirmed the diagnosis.

Mayor Bloomberg said, "Because of the seriousness of this disease, I want to initially stress two important points. First... we have every reason to believe this infection is an accidental ... case. No other cases have been reported whatsoever."

He then said the city is working with federal officials and reaching out to people who may need antibiotic treatment. Three people are currently being treated. He did not name them, but referred later to the patient having a family that has been in touch with city officials.

The mayor said, "as we speak, public health and law enforcement officials are inspecting the patient's work and storage area in the Dumbo area, and a vehicle. If there is any sign of infection, the city will take steps to make sure they are safely disinfected."

Mayor Bloomberg says the man who contracted anthrax makes African drums and that it is a career he has had for many years. He says in this case, it appears he contracted anthrax from hides he was working with. It could have been contracted from hides he imported from Africa in December, or the mayor says it could have been contracted from a domestic animal.

Contracting anthrax from rawhide, is said to be a common threat among ranchers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says anthrax can be carried by cattle, sheep and horses, and other animals can be infected. They can get it by breathing in spores from infected soil. In some cases, those spores can live in the dirt for decades.

Animals that are infected are clearly sick within days, with signs like weakness, staggering and trouble breathing. It's often fatal to them within days.

The CDC says while the disease does not usually spread between animals, dead animals can be a point of infection. Federal rules require that anthrax-infected carcasses be burned or buried in deep pits, since moving them could further contaminate the ground or send the bacteria into the air.

The mayor also tried to reassure those who may live in the same neighborhood as the victim and his family, saying "There is no reason that people living in these neighborhoods or even in these buildings should fear that their lives are in jeopardy." He says if you work on a farm, you run the risk of contracting anthrax, that those who handle animals face it, and that "if you feel sick, contact your doctor."

Weeks after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the nation was on high alert as anthrax-laced letters popped up in several places, including New York City. NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, two U.S. senators and the offices of the New York Post were among the targets.

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