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33 cases of anthrax exposure in US Senate

At least 33 cases of anthrax exposure among staff posted at the Capitol Hill in Washington have been confirmed.

Twenty-nine of the staffers who have tested positive were posted in the office of Senate majority leader Tom Daschle (Democrat), who had received a contaminated letter a few days ago.

Two police personnel posted at the Hill and two more in the office of Senator Russ Feingold were exposed to the bacteria.

Feingold, a Wisconsin lawmaker, told CNN that two of his staff had been exposed to the bacteria because of the proximity of his office to Senator Tom Daschle's.

CNN in a report said investigators were probing the possibility of the anthrax bacteria having spread out via the ventilation system.

Following this disclosure, the Congress decided to conclude its business and close early for the day.

CNN said that the senate would remain open for business, but three adjacent offices would be closed till Monday.

Health Secretary Tommy Thompson told the Senate that tests indicated that the anthrax bacteria being spread in the country through the mail service were of weapons grade.

This, he said, implied that some government would have to be behind the outbreak.

Meanwhile, CNN reported that anthrax spores have been found in New York Governor George Pataki's Manhattan office.

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