Anthrax scare in Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 24. The fear of anthrax has spread to Pakistan too. A number of employees of two multinational companies in Karachi are reported to be under treatment after they came in contact with packets containing anthrax spores mixed with some powdery substance.

Earlier there were reports about an embassy of a Western country receiving a packet containing a suspicious powder. It led to panic in the diplomatic circles but on investigations it was found to be a hoax.

According to the Pakistan English daily, The News, a number of staff members working in an international bank and a multinational computer marketing firm are now being treated for anthrax in Karachi. The report, however, has not officially been confirmed.

This is the first reported case of anthrax in Pakistan after the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. The report said that the powdery substance was sent in packets to the senior executives of the multinationals. Tests on two specimens received from the staff tested positive for the dreaded bacterium, bacillus anthracis, medical term for anthrax.

Quoting sources in the Aga Khan Hospital at Karachi, the daily said the Federal authorities had been informed about the incident with recommendation that a public awareness campaign be launched. The employees of both the multinational firms who may have handled the mail were later given treatment.

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Section  : International
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