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Breaking News

New Traces of Anthrax Discovered on Capitol Hill

Aired November 20, 2001 - 14:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Trace amounts of anthrax have been found in two more offices on Capitol Hill. These, the first findings of anthrax in the Russell Senate Office Building, in the offices -- the mail rooms of both offices of Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut.

It is believed, investigators say, that this is a case of cross- contamination because of the minimal amounts found and because this is the same building where the letter addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy was headed. That letter didn't reach Senator Leahy's office as best as investigators can tell. But they do believe, apparently, that in some way the mail was mixed and that's why it's turning up in the mail rooms.

They are not prescribing medication for the senators or for their staffs, but they are going to close down those offices at the close of business today to do further testing and decontamination.

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