World News 15-10-2001 Terrorist Link as Anthrax Cases Grow who: Three hijackers what: Rented room from wife of Anthrax company editor where: USA when: Yesterday snippet: "Eight people tested positive for anthrax in America yesterday," reports the Independent`s Andrew Buncombe, "adding to growing unease and panic across the country over the threat of a bioterrorist attack." In total, 12 people have tested positive to exposure to or infection by the bacteria, which is believed to be spreading through infected mail. "All the cases to have been confirmed or suspected so far have been at media-related organisations", notes BBC Online. A letter sent to an office of software giant Microsoft in Nevada was also found to contain anthrax, although six workers have since had tests and four have been cleared. "In a further twist," continues the Independent report, "the wife of the editor of one of the tabloids involved in the Florida anthrax scare rented a luxury flat to three of the hijackers named as taking part in the 11 September attacks on America." While US intelligence sources refuse to be drawn on the significance of this discovery, it is the strongest evidence so far that the outbreak is linked to terrorist groups overseen by Osama bin Laden. It also emerged last night that "three people are being tested in Britain for exposure to anthrax spores after visiting two contaminated buildings in America. One of those being tested spent time at the headquarters of NBC television in the Rockefeller Centre in New York," reports the Telegraph, "where a woman tested positive for anthrax last week." The Guardian`s Steven Morris notes that the government is facing criticism for not doing enough to reassure the public that it is prepared for an outbreak of anthrax in Britain. "Many doctors are receiving calls and visits from patients, including some who have recently returned from the US, who are worried about the threat from the disease. But Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and health policy at the British Medical Association, said that all necessary measures were being taken." [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!