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For Release Thursday, 4th
October, 2001
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL The Florida Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Palm Beach County Health Department confirmed today that a 63-year-old male in Lantana had contracted Bacillus Anthracis (Anthrax), a rare and severe bacteria spore that can be found in soil flora and animals.
The Palm Beach County Health Department and other agencies have launched a full-scale investigation as to the origin of this isolated case including, where, when and how it was acquired. At this time, it is an isolated case, which has been determined to not be contagious and cannot be passed on from person to person.
The Bacillus Anthracis has its origins in ancient times where it was called woolsorters disease because it was absorbed through open sores and abrasions of persons who processed sheep and goat wool. In addition to sheep and goats it is found in grazing animals such as cattle, deer and bison. It is endemic to many regions of the world including Central America, the Caribbean and South Texas and has a common name of Anthrax, which is derived from the Greek word anthrakis. There is generally less than one case of this disease reported in the United States each year and has a national average of 2.5 cases per year over the last 20 years.
The investigation is looking into every aspect of this man’s activity, as he was an avid outdoorsman.
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