IMF mail 'positive for anthrax'

Investigations are continuing into a spate of attacks

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said mail it received in Washington has tested positive for the anthrax bacteria.

It said the results of the tests were not conclusive and further investigations were being carried out.

"There was an initial positive test but it's not a conclusive one and as a precaution the mail room was sealed," said IMF spokesman Fransisco Baker.

The IMF has sealed its mail room

The news comes as employees at the World Bank in Washington were advised to stay at home for two days because mail sent to their building tested positive for the bacteria.

The IMF said preliminary tests had produced negative results but the mail was re-tested at the organisation's headquarters following the World Bank alert.

Mr Baker said medical experts at the IMF did not believe the findings would pose a threat.

Earlier this month, the US Federal Reserve said traces of anthrax were found in preliminary tests on its mail and more tests were being carried out.

Lie detector tests

The discovery of possible anthrax spores at the IMF came amid reports that the US Government was planning to give lie detector tests to hundreds of federal workers at two facilities where the bacteria is stored.

The move is part of continuing investigations into a spate of anthrax attacks by mail across the United States last year.

Five Americans died and at least 13 other people were infected but recovered after envelopes containing anthrax spores were sent to the US Congress and prominent media figures.