October 20, 2001/2:00 PM, ET
CDC case definition of anthrax
CDC defines a confirmed case of anthrax as 1) a clinically compatible case of cutaneous, inhalational, or gastrointestinal illness that is laboratory confirmed by isolation of B. anthracis from an affected tissue or site or 2) other laboratory evidence of B. anthracis infection based on at least two supportive laboratory tests.
Based on this definition, CDC is reporting 6 confirmed cases of anthrax: 2 in Florida, 3 in New York, and one in New Jersey. However, there are two additional cases with less laboratory evidence being reported by local investigators.
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Source: U.S. Government Website |