2001 Attacks Used Common Anthrax, Not Military Grade

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Main Category: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 25 Sep 2006 - 12:00 PDT

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According to a new report, the 2001 attacks which killed five people and made 17 humans ill, used common anthrax, not military grade anthrax. As it was thought at the time that military grade anthrax was used, investigations into who may have been responsible were focused towards people with access to US defence laboratories.

According to an article in the Washington Post, the FBI is now widening its investigation. The newspaper quotes an expert who says there is no significant signature in the powder that points to a domestic source.

It is believed to have been a common anthrax strain and had not been processed to make it more deadly. Even so, the anthrax was still deadly.

Nobody has ever been charged for the attacks, which were sent by mail.

What is anthrax?

It is an acute infectious disease cause by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It is found among wild and domestic lower vertebrates, such as sheep, goats, cattle, camels and antelopes. Humans can become infected when exposed to infected animals or body parts of infected animals. Anthrax is more common in the developing world than the developed world.

Anthrax is not known to spread from person-to-person.

-- What is Anthrax?

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today