Anthrax found in White House mail room

Anthrax spores have been found at a mail office used for post sent to the White House, it was announced tonight.

Anthrax spores have been found at a mail office used for post sent to the White House, it was announced tonight.

Tonight, White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said tests had found that a mechanical letter opener at the military facility which processes the White House's mail had evidence of anthrax.

All workers there are being tested for exposure to the spores and are being given antibiotics as a precaution, while mail room staff in the White House itself are also to be given the drugs.

Earlier today authorities in Washington DC confirmed that two postal workers had died from anthrax and three others were being treated in hospital.

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"Those two deaths were confirmed as anthrax deaths," said Doctor Ivan Walks, the top health official for the District of Columbia.

Both worked at a centre that handled mail for the US Congress where an anthrax-laced letter earlier exposed 28 Senate staff members to the bacteria. None of them developed infections.

Over 2,200 postal workers from the station, and those at a second centre near Baltimore-Washington International Airport, are being tested for anthrax. Both centres have been closed while environmental tests are done.

The source of the anthrax letters is unknown. There has been no evidence to link them to bin Laden, but US President Mr George W Bush has not ruled his involvement out.

Yesterday the US State Department said there was no clear link between the bacteria and Iraq, which is known to have biological and chemical weapons.

The office buildings for the US Senate and House of Representatives were ordered closed today for a sixth day after the latest outbreak so health inspections could continue.

The Capitol opened yesterday, but lawmakers did not sit in session.

AFP & AFP &