Third anthrax case at Florida newspaper

A third person at American Media, last night tested positive for anthrax. The case has now become a federal criminal investigation.

The woman, aged 35 years, was taken to hospital after a swab of her nasal

passage found traces of anthrax. She is being treated with antibiotics.

Sun photo-editor Bob Stevens, 63, died last Friday after inhaling anthrax

spores. Co-worker Ernesto Blanco, 73, has been in hospital since Monday after the lethal spores were found in his nose.

Florida health officials have said the bacteria in Stevens’ blood responded to antibiotics, suggesting it was a naturally occurring strain rather than a laboratory-altered one.

Public health officials stressed that there is no threat to the general public from the anthrax but said the cases had heightened fears of a biological attack.

FBI agent Hector Pesquera said authorities had no evidence the anthrax

was created by a terrorist group and cautioned, "this is not a time for

premature conclusions and inaccurate reporting".

US attorney Guy Lewis said the investigation would focus on how the

anthrax found its way into the building - and why.