Third anthrax test positive

Cy Ryan and Mary Manning

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2001 | 2:30 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A third test on a letter sent from Malaysia to a Microsoft office in Reno has tested positive for anthrax, Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn said Saturday.

Washoe County District Health Officer Barbara Hunt said the contaminated envelope has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta to determine whether it is a disease-causing form of the bacteria.

"This is a very, very low risk to public health," Guinn said.

The governor said a man who works at a Microsoft office in the Sierra Pacific Power Company building in Reno paid a bill and mailed the check to Malaysia. But the letter came back with the check and also enclosed was some pornographic pictures, apparently with the envelope opened and resealed.

"This guy did the right thing," Guinn said, referring to the man's notification of authorities.

Guinn has also notified the FBI.

No one at the company has displayed symptoms of anthrax. Health officials began taking nasal swabs from some of the 800 people who work ini the office building.

The first test of the substance showed the presence of the bacteria "Bacillus anthracis."

Guinn announced on Friday that the second test was negative for anthrax.

"As the governor, I'm pleased to report that our state emergency management system in placed worked very well," Guinn said. "The employees in this case also followed the recommended emergency procedures.

"This is a national issue that involves law enforcement at all levels," Guinn said. "The FBI has kept me well informed as these situations have evolved."

The governor advised Nevadans to continue to be ever vigilant in this time of heightened security.

There are three ways to contract anthrax, by inhaling it, ingesting it or through a cut on the skin. Anthrax, if inhaled, may begin with a mild flu-like symptom such as muscle aches, fever, fatigue and slight cough usually one to six days after exposure.

It may then progress after two to four days to more severe symptoms such as high fever and shortness of breath. It is generally treatable with antibiotics and cannot be spread from person to person.

Only 18 cases of anthrax have been reported in the United States since 1900, until the recent ones.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement that Nevada "has been directly touched by America's war on terrorism."

The senator has called on Congress to establish a center for counterterrorism training at the Nevada Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

"I will continue to make sure that Nevada and the nation have every resource available to combat these barbaric attacks on our homeland," Reid said.