No evidence of terrorism in anthrax case

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, OCT. 10. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is keeping a tight watch on bio-terrorism even as medical authorities are slowly downplaying notions of any deadly attack that has been unleashed on the United States.

In the State of Florida, investigators now believe that the anthrax strain on a second person may have been man- made. The infected person is now said to be recovering well; and health officials have already examined some 700 persons in the ``affected'' building.

``We have in essence gone into the building, cleaned the building out, taken all samples as possible and are following any trail - any possible trail'', the President, Mr. George W. Bush, remarked here. ``Thus far, it looks like it's a very isolated incident''.

The Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta has virtually ruled out environmental causes as the source. And the Justice Department, in saying that there is no indication of terrorism in the anthrax case, has nevertheless maintained that the case could become a ``clear criminal investigation''. That authorities are taking no chances is evident from them taking seriously reports of white powder being mailed or delivered to homes and offices.

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Section  : International
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