The investigation into three cases of anthrax exposure in Florida is not terrorist-related, the FBI has confirmed. A criminal investigation is ongoing.
Earlier, a third person who worked at the Florida publishers where a British-born editor died, tested positive for anthrax.
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FBI officials remove materials for analysis from the Florida publishers
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Speaking on American morning television shows, US Secretary of Defence, Mr John Ashcroft said he could not confirm the source of the anthrax bacteria found in the offices of American Media Inc, a company of supermarket tabloids in Boca Raton, Florida.
Mr Ashcroft said he could not confirm if the cases were a bio-terror attack.
"I don't think we can say it conclusively. Obviously anthrax is a very serious matter and its presence would be very unusual in that setting [in the tabloid office] in a natural sort of way," he said.
Mr Ashcroft also vehemently denied a media report yesterday that suggested a break-in at a government laboratory in Iowa where the anthrax virus was stored was the source of the strain.
"There was absolutely no evidence to indicate that the anthrax in Florida was stolen from any lab," said Mr Ashcroft.
The woman (35) was taken to hospital after a swab of her nasal passages found traces of anthrax. She is being treated with antibiotics.
Anthrax killed a British-born employee last week and infected a mailroom co-worker.
FBI agent Mr Hector Pesquera said the anthrax contamination is limited to the Boca Raton headquarters of supermarket tabloid publisher American Media.
He said authorities had no evidence the anthrax was created by a terrorist group and cautioned that "this is not a time for premature conclusions and inaccurate reporting".
US Attorney Mr Guy Lewis said the investigation would focus on how and why the anthrax spread.
Public health officials said there was no public health threat from the anthrax, but the case has heightened fears of a biological attack.
AP