US lab worker exposed to anthrax

Some 100 people working in the building were relocated

A laboratory worker at an American army bio-warfare research facility has been exposed to anthrax spores, the Pentagon has said.

Two workers were tested for anthrax exposure after low-level spore traces of anthrax were found in an office and hallway at the facility in Fort Detrick, Maryland.

There is no reason to expect any danger to the surrounding community or environment

Fort Detrick statement

"Both employees had been previously immunised for anthrax and have begun precautionary antibiotic treatment," the Pentagon announcement said.

The spores were discovered after a scientist working in the secret facility noticed a "deposit" on a flask in a laboratory where anthrax research had been performed.

The Pentagon said that some 100 of the 600 people who were in the building were relocated from areas surrounding the affected area.

Low-level risk

"Additional steps taken include medical evaluation of all employees who work in the affected area and antibiotic therapy [will be administered] if indicated."

"People who want to be tested can be, and people who want antibiotics can get them. But this is a scientific workforce and they understand the risks - and this is a low level risk because the number of spores that have been identified are very low," said Chuck Dasey, a spokesman for the facility.

Anthrax has been found in many federal buildings across Washington

"There is no reason to expect any danger to the surrounding community or environment," the institute said.

The announcement by the US Department of Defense did not say how the spores might have escaped from tight containment.

But it did say that their presence in the room and hallway "appears to be highly localised based on negative results from samplings of surrounding areas."

Anthrax has been found in many federal buildings across Washington since 11 September attacks on America.

There have been more than 20 confirmed cases of exposure to anthrax in the US, and five people have died from the disease.

The FBI has investigated the mailing of letters containing anthrax spores, but has made no arrests.