Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco announced today a confirmed case of cutaneous anthrax in a New Jersey resident whose occupation is not directly linked to the mail delivery system. The patient was discharged from the hospital yesterday, is on antibiotic treatment, and is doing well.

At the same time, DiFrancesco directed Health and Senior Services Commissioner Dr. George T. DiFerdinando to environmentally test the other local postal facilities that feed into the Route 130 Mail Processing Facility in Hamilton Township. Those facilities will remain open while the testing is being completed.

"This case of cutaneous anthrax is under active and intense investigation by public health and law enforcement officials working with the postal service," said Gov. DiFrancesco. "The investigation will examine a range of possibilities including possible links between this case and the Route 130 Mail Processing Facility in Hamilton Township."

DiFrancesco asked New Jerseyans to remain calm, but vigilant by asking them to observe their surroundings and report anything unusual to the police - and again reiterated that the risk of contracting anthrax is low.

"While the risk is considered to be very low to individuals from possible contamination in the mail, people should continue to be alert for suspicious mail," said DiFrancesco. "That might include mail sent by someone you don't know, mail handwritten with no return address or one that you cannot confirm as legitimate, or mail that has excessive postage."

Indeed, individuals should especially in areas that have been directly affected, review and be familiar with advice provided to all postal patrons by the United States Postal Service and follow that advice added DiFrancesco.

According to Dr. DiFerdinando it is not advised that the employees of the other Central Jersey post offices begin prophylactic antibiotics as they can potentially do more harm than good to one's health. However, the State will facilitate with the employees' physicians the availability of treatment for those who prefer such therapy.

DiFrancesco said that steps already underway in the investigation regarding the New Jersey resident whose occupation is not directly linked to the mail delivery system are the following:

• extensive interviews;
• environmental sampling in the patient's home and workplace;
• environmental sampling of pathways between the Hamilton mail facility and locations
  where the patient receives mail; and
• evaluation of other potential sources of exposure.