Hollywood goes on anthrax alert

Anthrax was sent to NBC's New York offices

Hollywood studios are on high alert as Americans fear further biochemical attacks.

Companies such as Sony, Warner Bros, Disney and a number of TV networks have closed their mailrooms as a precaution, according to Variety newspaper.

And fan mail sent to studios for the attention of Hollywood stars remains unopened.

Studios had already been on a heightened state of alert following concern they could become a target for retaliation for the US bombing of Afghanistan.

Studios are training staff to recognise suspicious packages

A total of four people have now been diagnosed with anthrax in the US and at least 11 others have tested positive for exposure to the bacteria.

Although officials believe the anthrax cases are the work of terrorists they have said there is no discernible link to the events of 11 September.

Training

Emergency services were called into the studios of Sony after a letter containing white powder was opened. It was later revealed as a false alarm.

Over at the Warner Bros studio staff involved in mail delivery have been issued with masks and protective gloves and extra training is to be given.

"We're taking extra precautionary measures, although we have no information of a specific threat," a Warner Bros spokesman told Variety.

And Universal mailroom staff have already received specialist training from bomb and chemical warfare experts.

Infected

Parts of news broadcaster NBC's Burbank headquarters in California were shut down on Friday after a suspicious package was delivered.

The network's New York office has already been the target of anthrax-loaded letters, which led to a female worker being infected.

A number of other media organisations have taken the precautionary measure of closing mailrooms until further notice including CBS, ABC, CNN and the Associated Press.

Reuters news agency in New York is also heightening security.