Anthrax threat judged slim in region

Anthrax threat judged slim in region

Nov 3, 2001

by Aspen C. Emmett
Journal Staff Writer

As traces of anthrax continue to pop up around the country and now overseas, postal customers can’t help but wonder where the next tainted letter might arrive.

According to FBI special agent John Wallace, who works out of Durango, there have been no confirmed cases of anthrax reaching the Four Corners; however, the possibility is not out of the question.

Wednesday, the Bureau of Indian Affairs was alerted that some of the mail circulating in Towaoc may have passed through a mail facility in Washington, D.C., where anthrax was found recently.

"No one got a letter and no one got anything that was contaminated," Wallace said. "It’s just that mail came through the system for BIA through the Department of the Interior and it went through the same mail facility that had some contamination problems in Washington, D.C.

"Probably millions and millions of letters went through that place and the BIA was just notifying people that got letters from their office saying that it went through that facility."

Wallace said some people from the tribe have elected to be tested for anthrax as a result of the warning but emphasized the possibility of anthrax contamination in the Four Corners at this point is rather unlikely.

"As far as I know, there’s no indication of anything. Basically it was just a heads-up and if you’re worried you can go get tested.

"If you have symptoms — by all means — go get tested. But there’s probably no real concern."

In the event that anthrax contamination is suspected, there is a system in place to thoroughly investigate the situation, Wallace said.

"We have to figure out: Is this a potential threat? Is this a threat? Or is it not a threat?"

So far, though, the FBI has not been brought in to make any assessments, suggesting the danger is moot.

"We would be asked to make an assessment as to whether we think it is a potential threat or not and put certain steps in place to make sure the letter gets tested. Suspicious letters are just thrown out unless someone opens them and powder comes flying out."

Wallace said the FBI fields anthrax questions and concerns almost daily but none in the region have been of any substance.

Wallace emphasized that people should not panic about the mail in Towaoc but rather be aware and cautions.

"Yes, it went through that postal service (in Washington, D.C.), but that doesn’t mean that every letter has a problem with it."

Nationwide, 17 people so far have contracted anthrax infections, 10 of which were the inhalation form and seven of which were the less-serious cutaneous anthrax. Four of the 10 inhalation cases have been fatal.