World Trade Center Anthrax Attack

2001 was a devastating and fear-invoking year for the people of the United States of America, and one that most will likely never forget. The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York in September of 2001 spawned other, smaller terrorist events. While most paled in comparison to the desolation of the Twin Towers, these other attacks presented great harm and risk and sparked a new fear in the American people. One such event was the spread of anthrax through the United States Postal Service.
Just weeks after the World Trade Center attacks, a man in Florida was hospitalized and diagnosed with pulmonary anthrax, the first case in decades (Center for Counterproliferation Research, 2002). When this man’s co-worker and later individuals in New York were also hospitalized it was discovered that they all had been in contact with letters containing a powdery substance (Center for Counterproliferation Research, 2002). Two state senators were sent letters containing anthrax, one of which was opened, and shortly after many postal service and mailroom employees became sick (Center for Counterproliferation Research, 2002). These individuals tested positive for anthrax exposure and it became obvious that someone had
Unlike with natural or other technological threats posed to the United States, bioterrorism preparedness efforts were only operating on theory and had no actual experience to formulate plans and ideas. Therefore, even though a threat like this anthrax attack has been considered and planned for the lack of experience for this type of event was evident(Center for Counterproliferation Research, 2002). Misinformation and contradictory information was provided to the already panicked citizens of the United States which only caused more confusion and