Anthrax tests negative in Delhi

All suspected cases of anthrax reported in Delhi have tested negative according to the Delhi Health Minister, Dr. A.K. Walia. This news will soothe a lot of nerves that were fearing an Anthrax outbreak in the capital.In the past few days, senior officials of the Indian government had received packages containing powdery material. The Union Home Minister Shri L.K. Advani had received such a package at his North Block office a few days back. In the wake of the Anthrax scare worldwide, these packets had created a lot of panic in the ministry. All of these packets were immediately sent for testing to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in Delhi. The tests were negative for all the samples. The government has however, asked the public to be alert and vigilant to all such packets or suspicious looking mail. It has also made arrangements for all official mail to be sorted out at a central location to minimise the risk of exposure in case of receipt of dubious mail. Meanwhile, suspected cases being reported from other parts of the country like Karnataka and West Bengal are under investigation.