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Lab Analysis Confirms Anthrax in Danbury, Conn. // Clean-up Targeted for Later This Week

Release Date: 09/10/2007
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Danbury, Conn. – Sept. 10, 2007) – A coordinated, multi-agency response to the discovery of naturally-occurring anthrax contamination at a Danbury, Conn. residence is continuing.

Laboratory analyses of samples taken at the residence and an adjacent work shed have confirmed the presence of a naturally-occurring strain of anthrax at several contained locations. Sampling taken at the site indicates that traces of anthrax are limited and contained to the actual property, and that people in the area are not at risk.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working closely with other state, local and federal officials to develop a clean up plan at the property. The agencies, including the Conn. Dept. of Public Health, the Conn. Dept. of Environmental Protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the City of Danbury Health Dept., and Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, are also coordinating with local and regional fire and law enforcement to ensure full consideration for evidence collection and to minimize public disturbance.

As a clean up plan is finalized and work begins at the Padanaram Road property, response workers will keep residents informed about whether Padanaram Road will be closed to traffic and duration of any road closures. Following any clean up work, EPA and involved state agencies will conduct additional sampling in the house and work shed to identify if all contamination has been removed.

Public health officials confirmed this is not a contagious condition and there is no community public health concern. The only individuals that are at risk are those that worked with the animal hides or had direct contact with the infected property.

For information regarding anthrax and exposure, please call CT DPH at (860) 509-7994.

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Contacts: U.S. EPA: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017
CT DPH: Bill Gerrish, (860) 509-7106
CT DEP: Dennis Schain, (860) 424-3110
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR: Michael McLachlan, (203) 797-4511