WASHINGTON - Re-tests for suspected anthrax bacteria at a Pentagon mail facility and a post facility at a second Pentagon office were negative, the Pentagon's chief health official said Tuesday.
The latest conclusions were released after cultures were taken from an estimated 275 people who were feared to have been exposed to anthrax. They were issued three day supplies of antibiotics as a precaution on Monday.
"We have no evidence that there was anthrax material in the mail," said William Winkenwerder, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
Winkenwerder said tests were continuing at both facilities, but since all re-tests so far have come back negative, "we would say that the probability is low to very low that we are dealing with a true health threat."
The tests for anthrax were conducted after screening devices triggered an alert on Monday at the postal facilities.
03/16/2005 00:03 GMT