Anthrax Scare Shuts 11 Washington Postal Buildings

The Washington Post ^ | November 6, 2003 | Reuters

[Pan_Yans Wife]

The U.S. Postal Service shut down 11 postal facilities in the Washington area late on Thursday after preliminary tests indicated possible anthrax at a U.S. Navy mail handling center, officials said.

The Navy closed the automated mail handling operation at its naval air station in Washington on Thursday to run additional tests after sensors detected traces of a substance that could be anthrax, a Navy spokeswoman said.

The substance was identified late on Wednesday by equipment that routinely samples the air in the facility and preliminary tests indicated that it could possibly be anthrax, a deadly bacterial disease, Lt. Corey Schultz said. More definitive testing was underway, she added.

[armymarinemom]

Has anyone heard which facilites were closed? I just sent a letter to my son in Stafford that he really needs to recieve.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Does his town/area have a local online newspaper? Wouldn't that give you information about mail service for his area?

I don't know where you could find this info, otherwise... i am sure we'll learn more today.

[armymarinemom]

Thanks. The last time this happened we lost mail.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I do think, if his mail is routed through this facility, you will hear of delays, and some might not be delivered.

But, it may be really hard for you to determine whether or not your letter went through which specific facility.

[mylife]

Thanks. The last time this happened we lost mail.

Last time this happened we lost more than mail. Lets hope this is a false alarm.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Lets hope this is a false alarm.

If the article claimed it was a 'suspicious white substance', I might believe you. But the fact that the results at Ft. Dettrick show it is anthrax, means it is anthrax. The question is whether or not all of the spores died in the irradiation process or not.

[Catspaw]

There's a list of the closed post offices in a sidebar in this story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10041-2003Nov6.html

[Pan_Yans Wife]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,102429,00.html

[armymarinemom]

Thanks:) I guess we punt from here. I do believe that his mail goes through the DC facility. I do hope that this isn't live Anthrax this time.

[Catspaw]

Having some experience with the first go-round with anthrax--my daughter lived in Princeton NJ and now lives nearby--if it is anthrax, expect lost mail, significant delays and irridated mail for quite some time.

[cdrw]

WTOP News Radio these guys stay on top of the local situation. Given your handle and the fact that the letter is headed for Stafford I think its a safe bet that the routing path for your letter has been shut down. Even the civilian mail destined for further out than Stafford is largely routed through the main facilities in the DC area.

[Ethan_Allen]

Just came on to check what FR knew, because I called the Post Office and they weren't much help. Our PO was one of the ones affected. Just heard on TV that there is no threat.