News brief

CDC Warns 'Mailbox' Virus is Hoax - and Spreading Rapidly

Jan. 1, 2001 – Senior Softball-USA

ATLANTA, Georgia - Government health experts are warning Americans not to be fooled about a hoax message being spread over the internet about a "Klingerman Virus."

According to the bogus e-mail messages, people have been infected with "Klingerman virus" after opening gift packages delivered to them in the mail. According to the e-mail message, a number of people became ill with a viral infection after handling a sponge contained in a package marked, "A gift for you from the Klingerman Foundation."

"The e-mail is a hoax. There is no 'Klingerman virus,' and the information in the e-mail notice is untrue," according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here. "If you receive an e-mail message about "Klingerman virus," please do not forward it to others."

The CDC warns people, however, to report any suspicious letter or package to local law enforcement agencies ˆ before opening it.