- Atlanta - Boston - Chicago - DC Area - Houston - Jersey Area - Los Angeles - New York - SF Bay Area
- Earlier editions
- Astrology - Cricket - Money - Movies - Women - India News - US News
The anthrax terror came close to the White House when a machine at the remote site that handles all mails addressed to it tested positive for the bacterium.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said, "It (anthrax) was found on what is called a 'slitter', which is a mechanical device that opens mails. It was not found on any mail itself."
He, however, said environmental samplings had found no traces of the bacterium at the White House.
Fleischer said all employees at the site were being tested. "Antibiotics will be available to anybody."
"I don't have anthrax," President George Bush said at a press conference.
"We're making sure the West Wing and the White House are safe," he said.
The president said he would not be surprised if the Al Qaeda, led by terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, was involved in the recent spate of anthrax incidents.
Meanwhile, Washington Mayor Anthony Williams confirmed on Tuesday that the two postal workers who had died this week were infected with inhalation anthrax, CNN reported.
He said the two, who were working at the Brentwood facility, had tested positive after handling an anthrax-tainted letter sent to a senate office.
Two other postal workers from that facility were hospitalised with inhalation anthrax, he added.
District of Columbia Health Director Dr Ivan Walks described another four cases as "suspicious".
CNN said that the health authorities were tracking another 12 individuals with "very low suspicion".
Agencies
The War on Terrorism: The Complete Coverage
The Terrorism Weblog: Latest Stories from Around the World
External Link: For further coverage, please visit www.saja.org/roundupsept11.html
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
