Washington, Nov 08: The anthrax scare at postal facilities here has ended with tests on air samples and swabs by scientists concluding that all the centres were safe. Five postal workers are however being treated with antibiotics since yesterday. Scientists tested air samples for traces of anthrax yesterday but they found none, officials said.
Hundreds of thousands of people missed their mail as officials closed the navy mail-sorting offices and eleven other post offices in and around Washington Thursday after an automated alarm and one follow-up test indicated the possible presence of anthrax spores at Anacostia Naval Station.
Two distribution centres in Maryland were reopened yesterday. Nine other post offices will reopen later today.
The five workers were being offered the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin as a precaution recommended by the centers for disease control and prevention, they said.
Bureau Report