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Woman's anthrax death puzzles investigators

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SUMMARY:

The mystery of how a Connecticut woman died of inhalation anthrax came no closer to being solved when results of preliminary tests for the presence of bacteria in her mail, mailbox and local post office facilities came back negative.

Ottilie Lundgren, 94, became the nation's fifth anthrax fatality since letters laced with the deadly bacteria began turning up in the mail last month. Although authorities have not announced finding any suspicious letter or package in her home, investigators are operating on the premise that the mail may once again be the source of contamination. (Full story)

Authorities sealed off Lundgren's home in this town of about 9,800 people in southwest Connecticut and looked into her background for clues that might help crack the latest chapter in this bioterror mystery. A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted tests throughout her home, seeking clues on how she came in contact with anthrax.

UPDATE:

Members of the American Postal Workers Union won't work in any postal facility that isn't completely clear of anthrax or any other form of contamination, the newly installed union president said Thursday. (Full story)

If medical officials had known more about the threat of anthrax in the nation's capital, they could have saved the lives of the two postal workers who died of inhalation anthrax, Washington's chief medical officer said earlier this week. (Full story)

President Bush, meanwhile, announced the U.S. shipment of thousands of tons of food worth more than $5 million to Afghanistan, senior administration officials told CNN. (Full story)


  •  Summary

  •  Update

  •  Key questions

  •  Who's who

  •  Victims

  •  Impact



REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS

  •  Emergency information

  •  Partial list of victims

  •  Victims story archives

  •  Latest news


Attack on America
 CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT
 CNN NewsPass Video 
Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998
 MORE STORIES
Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects
Report cites warnings before 9/11
 EXTRA INFORMATION
Timeline: Who Knew What and When?
Interactive: Terror Investigation
Terror Warnings System
Most wanted terrorists
What looks suspicious?
In-Depth: America Remembers
In-Depth: Terror on Tape
In-Depth: How prepared is your city?
 RESOURCES
On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands?
On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

KEY QUESTIONS:

Will a military commission afford suspected terrorists appropriate protection of their civil rights, and are non-U.S. citizens entitled to those rights?

What is the government doing to fortify homeland defense? Click here for more

Is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention equipped to handle bioterrorism attacks?

Does the U.S. Postal Service have the proper resources to make the mail safe? Click here for more

How is Congress helping out in the recovery process? Click here for more

What are tips to know in the wake of the attacks? Click here for more

WHO'S WHO:

George W. Bush: U.S. president Click here for more.

Laura Bush: First lady of the United States, she has become more visible since the terrorist attacks, making public appearances urging parents and teachers to help reassure children that everything is being done to try to keep them safe. Click here for more

Tom Ridge: Director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, a new Cabinet-level position Click here for more

Richard Clarke: Head of efforts to safeguard information systems for the Office of Homeland Security Click here for more

Wayne Downing: Retired Army general tapped as deputy national security adviser Click here for more

Joe Allbaugh:The chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Click here for more

Dr. David Satcher: Surgeon General of the United States

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Click here for more

Rudy Giuliani: Mayor of New York Click here for more

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor-elect of New York

Anthony A. Williams: Mayor of Washington

Dr. Ivan Walks: Director of the Department of Health for the District of Columbia

Paul O'Neill: Treasury secretary

Norman Y. Mineta:Transportation secretary

Jane Garvey: FAA administrator

VICTIMS:

The latest figures provided by federal and local officials give the following totals for the number of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks.

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York City officials, 3,962 are missing, including the 157 people on the two hijacked planes; 490 bodies have been identified.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 dead or missing

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The events of September 11 exposed the vulnerability of the world's greatest superpower, presenting the United States with the challenge of recovering emotionally and physically.

The U.S. economy, threatened by recession before September 11, has suffered a number of blows in the weeks since. Several industries -- particularly the airline industry -- were hit hard by the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, and leading economic indicators dropped in September. Yet the nation's financial markets have thus far weathered the uncertainty, making up losses experienced in the days after reopening.

Incidents of anthrax found in mail have frightened many, and the notable increase of security at offices and public places indicates America to be a warier, more cautious place. But daily life has not been put on hold: People are still attending entertainment events, going to ballgames, and getting out. Psychologically, the country appears to be finding its way.



 
 
 
 



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