The post office was cordoned off while samples of the powder were collected and the people inside the building at the time were checked out. Once again, as in Friday's incident, the powder turned out to be corn starch. Anthrax bacteria live in the blood of animals. The bacteria form spores when the animal dies. The spores are then released.
Inhalation anthrax is the far more serious kind.
That's the form that killed the man in Florida last week. About 95 percent of all cases of anthrax worldwide result from skin contact with infected animals or tissue. It often begins with a bump on the hands, arms, or head that eventually turns into a sore. More severe symptoms may follow, including fever, swelling, and a headache. The infection can be cured with a variety of antibiotics, including penicillin and cipro.