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Postal workers in the US taking precautions following
confirmation of a another victim of anthrax poisoning |
Two new cases of the skin form of anthrax were reported in the US today, bringing the number of confirmed cases to six.
In addition, up to three more suspected cases were being investigated, according to Dr Julie Gerberding of the Atlanta-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
One of the new confirmed cases is an assistant to CBS television anchorman Mr Dan Rather while the other is a postal worker in New Jersey.
The additional cases "are in large part linked to Florida and New York situations," said Dr Gerberding.
"We do have other individuals who are reporting skin lesions or exposure circumstances that are under active investigation," Dr Gerberding said in a telephone conference with reporters. "We are working around the clock to confirm or rule out" anthrax infection.
The new cases were reported as the FBI and the Postal Service offered a one million dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators of anthrax attacks, the House of Representatives remained dark and six congressional office buildings were closed for further germ tests. The Senate remained in business.
Seeking to calm an anxious US, Homeland Defence Director Mr Tom Ridge said that despite the new case, "thousands and thousands and thousands" of people had been tested for anthrax exposure - and had come up negative.
"We are more vigilant today and continue to get more vigilant every day as we assess different risks that might present themselves in this country," Mr Ridge said in his first news conference since taking the job last week.
"I think our antennae are up for all conceivable risks and you ought to be reassured of that," he added.
On Capitol Hill, the number of those who tested positive to exposure stood at 31, with no cases of infection reported, Dr Kenneth Mortisugu, deputy surgeon general, told an afternoon news conference.
All appear to have been exposed to an anthrax-laden letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mr Tom Daschle, that was opened Monday, Mr Mortisugu said.
Mr Mortisugu said that a sweep throughout the sprawling Capitol complex would continue over the next several days to check for anthrax spores.
"At this time there is no evidence of contamination in the ventilation system," Mr Mortisugu added.
Both the CBS employee and the New Jersey postal workers contracted the skin form of anthrax, officials said.
The postal worker may have handled letters to NBC and to Daschle, acting New Jersey Governor Mr Donald DiFrancesco said in Trenton. Test results for a second postal employee who may have been exposed to the disease were pending, Mr DiFrancesco said.
The CBS employee, an assistant to Rather, was expected to fully recover, CBS officials said. They said that the infection was on her cheek.
AP