Tests link Florida, N.Y. anthrax

By Karen Gullo

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Preliminary tests show the anthrax sent to NBC in New York and a tabloid newspaper company in Florida were the same strain, and the FBI is pursuing "substantive leads" in the investigation into who may have sent the bacteria, officials said Wednesday.

Law enforcement and other U.S. officials said there was no evidence so far of foreign terrorist involvement in the anthrax attacks, although they continue to investigate that possibility. One official said some evidence might suggest a domestic source.

There is no evidence the anthrax was associated with a weapons program, although the powdery substance found in an envelop sent to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle’s office in Washington, D.C., appeared more refined and likely to become airborne, officials said.

Attorney General John Ashcroft said the anthrax attacks could be the work of a group and individuals working independently.

"It may be that there is some of both here," Ashcroft said on PBS’ "News Hour With Jim Lehrer."

He also said those responsible for mailing anthrax may also be attempting to divert the attention of investigators by perpetrating anthrax hoaxes.

"There may in fact be some linkage," Ashcroft said.

A chilling note warning, "You’ve been exposed to anthrax. You’re going to die," was in the letter sent to Daschle’s office, one senator said.

According to Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who was briefed on the anthrax exposure at Daschle’s office, the letter was taped on all four sides, prompting Daschle’s assistant to cut the envelope open with a scissors. At that point some white powder leaked out onto a desk.

After reading the note, the aide dropped the letter onto the floor and others in the office gathered around it. More than 30 people from Daschle’s office have tested positive for anthrax.

The investigation was moving on several fronts as authorities conducted complex tests on the anthrax that has shown up in at least four cities in recent days — including NBC News in New York and American Media Inc. in Boca Raton, Fla.

After preliminary testing, said Dr. David Fleming of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "the strain in New York appears to match the strain in Florida."

The strain occurs naturally, commonly being found in hoofed animals like cows and deer, CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said. CDC officials declined to more specifically identify the strain, citing the ongoing probe.

It was not yet clear whether the Washington anthrax came from the same strain, officials said.

Matching strains do not necessarily mean the anthrax came from the same source. More tests would be needed to confirm that, officials have said.

Investigators reported some leads based on evidence derived from the powdery substance found in letters sent to various locations.

"We have substantive leads," said a senior federal law enforcement official in bioterrorism. "We have leads in the sense of working with the material."

The source declined to provide details.

Investigators are examining the type of expertise that would be required to develop refined anthrax like the type sent to Daschle’s office and the facilities and equipment that would be necessary to make it.

Law enforcement officials said there was some indication the anthrax found in the letter to Daschle’s office was professionally made but not of the grade found in weapons. Daschle said it was responsive to antibiotics.

One official said there was evidence that could point toward a domestic culprit. The preliminary tests on the New York and Florida strains indicated the strain was common to the United States.