Naval Postal Facility Tests Negative for Anthrax
The U.S. Postal Service reported last week that samples from the Naval Consolidated Mail Facility at Anacostia Naval Station in Washington tested negative for anthrax.The test samples were analyzed by Navy Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, MD.
"Now that the results of the Navy facility are negative, there is no reason to keep the associated postal facilities closed," said Tom Day, USPS vice president of engineering.
The agency closed 11 facilities and post offices in Washington, Maryland and Arlington, VA, last week after an automated alarm and a follow-up test revealed the possible presence of anthrax.
Most of the mail moving through the Navy's facility was processed through the postal service's V Street facility that processes government mail, and a contractor who transported the mail collected it from other facilities in the area. All were shut down.
Of eight follow-up samples taken after the initial field test, only one was found positive, the Associated Press reported. The Washington Post said five postal employees received antibiotics and that results of the analysis of subsequent tests won't be available for several days.
USPS said it resumed normal mail operations Nov. 7 at the V Street facility and the Calvert Destination Delivery Unit in Maryland, and the remaining nine facilities on Nov. 8.
As a result of the closings, there was no mail delivery to 250,000 customers in Washington, Virginia and Maryland on Nov. 7.
