Inhaled Anthrax Confirmed in NJ

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP: What was suspected is now confirmed. A Hamilton Township postal worker who was admitted here at Virtua Memorial about a week and a half ago, is, without question, infected with inhalation anthrax.

Yet another Hamilton postal worker is still a suspected case of inhalation anthrax, and that's in addition to the other two Trenton area postal workers who came down with skin anthrax.

The latest confirmed case, a 56-year-old woman, and mail handler at the Hamilton plant, is clinically improving, according to the state health department. She was admitted at Virtua Memorial on October 19th, and began receiving antibiotics that day.

Meanwhile, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Trenton, a special clinic has been set up for non-postal employees who visited work areas inside the Hamilton processing center, like couriers and outside contractors.

This is not to test for anthrax, volunteers are prescribing a 10-day supply of anthrax-fighting antibiotics, and gathering important medical information. Judy Persichilli/St. Francis Medical Center: "We will be bringing them back, making sure they're okay, and then continuing the medication for another 25 days, and then another 25 days." As for the Trenton firefighter being tested for inhalation anthrax, he remains at Capital Health Systems, Fuld Campus in Trenton. His results should be available by Tuesday.

The firefighter has chronic bronchitis, but doctors are taking no chances, because the symptoms are also similar to inhalation anthrax.

But the only places Trenton officials believe he might have been exposed to the deadly bacteria, the West Trenton post office, and the downtown Trenton post office, have both come up negative for any anthrax spores.

Mayor Doug Palmer/(D) Trenton, N.J.: "I was a little concerned because it's taken so long to get this information, but I am glad that it is here now."

We have a confirmed case of anthrax here at Virtua Hospital, with dozens upon dozens of others taking antibiotics, for fear that they may have come into contact with the bacteria.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News