Cases of anthrax in the United States – update and public health guidance

On 4 October 2001, a case of anthrax was reported in a 63 year old resident of Florida (1). The patient was admitted to hospital with the respiratory form of anthrax and subsequently died. An epidemiological investigation and public health surveillance was started to determine how infection with Bacillus anthracis occurred and identify other infections. An environmental investigation identified one sample taken from the patient's workplace (America Media Incorporated (AMI), Boca Raton, Florida) as positive for anthrax.