Trenton Firefighter May Have Anthrax

WEST TRENTON - Trenton officials, along with doctors, announced that a Trenton firefighter is being tested for inhalation anthrax.

The man is suffering from symptoms similar to bronchitis.

But a preliminary test for anthrax with a nasal swab came back inconclusive, so the firefighters went in for further tests.

In the meantime, the man is on antibiotics, just in case.

Dr. Nick Karabulut/Capital Health System: "It is very difficult by looking at this chest X-ray, to come to a clinic conclusion that the gentleman has inhalation anthrax."

What is peculiar, is that the firefighter in question is not a member of the haz-mat unit that has responded to over 120 anthrax scares in the Trenton region.

He has only served in a support role.

But for now, only the haz mat crews are being tested for anthrax. Dennis Keenan/Trenton Fire Director: "We are erring again on the side of caution in sending anybody that was at the scenes, and we are continuing that based on what we find out when this test comes back."

Meanwhile, those postal workers at the Hamilton Processing Center who have been taking Cipro, are switching to a different antibiotic, on the advice of the New Jersey Health Department.

Mayor Glen Gilmore/(D) Hamilton Twp.: "That prescription is now going to be switched to doxycycline, which is another prescription that has fewer side effects."

Meanwhile, there will be an all-day clinic Sunday for other people who have visited the work areas of the Hamilton facility, including temp workers, vendors, and contractors.

However, the state's health commissioner reiterates, that mail customers were not put at risk there.

Dr. George DiFerdinando/Acting Health Commissioner: "Visitors to the public areas, where stamps are bought, the mailbox section, things like that, we do not feel that they should be treated, because those areas were tested negative."

The firefighter being tested for inhalation anthrax is being treated at Capital Health System, he was admitted there Saturday afternoon. His case is being called a suspicious one, and the measures being taken, are being called proactive. The results should be back in a few days.

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Author: 6 - ABC, Action News