DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STATEMENT REGARDING THE DISCOVERY
OF ANTHRAX AT THE LANDOVER MAIL FACILITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – "Today the Department of Justice was informed by the FBI Hazmat Unit at Quantico that final test results show the Department's offsite mail facility in Landover, Maryland tested positive for anthrax. The Landover facility handles mail for the Department of Justice and some of its component agencies. The Landover facility receives its mail from the Brentwood postal facility, which previously tested positive for anthrax.

"Samples were taken from a variety of locations within the Landover facility. Areas which specifically handle mail for the Main Justice building, including the Attorney General's office and other leadership offices, were among those that tested positive. As a result, the mail room at Main Justice has been closed until final test results have been received. The Department of Justice stopped receiving mail from the Landover facility several days ago. At this time, there has been no positive test at any other Department of Justice facility other than the Landover postal facility.

"All Department of Justice mail facilities which receive mail directly from the Brentwood postal facility have been tested for anthrax. The results from these tests are pending. Additionally, arrangements are being made to test those Justice Department mail facilities which receive mail from the Landover facility. The mail room in the Main Justice building is one of those facilities and was tested on Saturday. The results are currently pending.

"As recommended by the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department has contacted employees and contractors who work in or frequent mail rooms that receive mail directly from Landover. The Department encourages individuals who handle the mail to go to D.C. General Hospital to receive a 10 day supply of antibiotics while these mail handling facilities are being tested. The Landover employees currently taking their 10 day supply of antibiotics should go to D.C. General Hospital to receive an additional 50 day supply of antibiotics.

"The Department of Justice is committed to taking recommended precautions to protect the health and safety of its employees, and will continue to work with public health authorities to ensure the proper steps are taken to keep employees safe."

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01-560