By Wilson Ring, Associated Press, 10/18/01

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BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Vermont's health commissioner said Thursday her department had recommended that 60 people undergo antibiotic treatments for possible anthrax exposure.

The recommendation was made to passengers and crew who were on board a Northwest Airlines flight that arrived at Burlington International Airport at around midnight Monday from Detroit.

Commissioner Dr. Jan Carney gave the same advice to baggage handlers and emergency personnel who responded to the airport.

Separately, Attorney General William Sorrell scheduled a news conference to announce something related to anthrax, according to staff in his office who declined to elaborate.

"Preliminary tests on Tuesday of a powdery substance found on the plane showed no evidence of spores," Carney said, "but further tests have shown growth of a bacillus or rod-shaped bacteria of the same genus as the bacteria that causes anthrax.

"This bacteria growth means that the substance could be anthrax," she said. "We believe that it is possible, but unlikely."

The Northwest jet that was involved remained on the tarmac in Burlington, although the state has not ordered it quarantined, Carney said.

The Burlington incident was at least the second involving a Northwest Airlines jet this week. A plane that landed in Detroit on Monday was held for more than an hour while authorities investigated a white powdery substance that was found in the passenger cabin. A preliminary inspection determined the substance was food crumbs.

In Burlington, the substance was found on top of checked baggage that was being removed from the plane, authorities said. They recommended treatment for passengers and crew because air was circulated through the cargo hold and into the passenger cabin.

Additional tests were being performed, the Health Department said.

A spokeswoman, who declined to be quoted by name said the state was being cautious and had no reason for alarm.

"It's the point at which we contact everybody to begin taking antibiotics just as a precaution," said the spokeswoman. "It's no cause for panic at all. We just wanted to let people know what's happening."

All but two of the people involved had been contacted by Thursday morning and most had visited the Health Department for antibiotics and medical consultations, Carney said.

The steps were taken after conferring with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.