The United States embassy in Kuala Lumpur today received a letter containing 'suspicious powder' prompting staff, who feared that it may contain Anthrax spores, to summon the Fire and Rescue Department.

According to a statement released by the embassy, its staff received the letter at the embassy front gate. The unopened letter was then sealed in an airtight container before being handed over to fire and rescue department personnel.

"All employees who were in the vicinity of the letter before it was sealed have been tested for possible exposure to disease, and will take a full dose of antibiotics as a precautionary measure," said the statement.

When contacted the embassy's public affairs officer Karl Stoltz told malaysiakini that a staff nurse at the embassy had conducted tests on those who came in direct contact with the letter.

"We will not know if they have been tested positive for anthrax until a few days later, I have no details of where the letter came from and who it was addressed to, and we will leave it to the Malaysian authorities to investigate," Stoltz said, adding that the letter was received around mid-morning.

The statement also said in light of the global threat of terrorism, the embassy will continue to take every possible precaution to ensure that both the American and Malaysian staff at the embassy are not exposed to undue risk.

The US has been on high alert for possible terrorist retaliation after it began its military action against Afghanistan three weeks ago.

Anthrax scare

Cases of anthrax infection have already been detected in the US states of Florida, New York, New Jersey and its capital, Washington DC.

Two weeks ago a letter re-routed from Malaysia and suspected of containing anthrax spores, was sent to the office of software giant Microsoft, in Nevada, USA. Tests later indicated the letter was free of the bacteria.

Refuting a New York Times report that the letter had originated from Malaysia, deputy police chief Jamil Johari said the letter was sent from the US to Malaysia and was re-routed back to the US after its Malaysian destination was not found.

Fears of bio-terrorism spread to Malaysia when three people developed flu-like symptoms after coming in contact with a letter sent to a mattress factory in Butterworth, Penang, last Wednesday.

Following this, at least five other case of letters containing suspicious powder were reported all over the country.

Report fairly

Meanwhile Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged the media to be fair in its reports on anthrax attacks in Malaysia.

According to a Bernama report today, the premier said Malaysia was being accused of exporting the deadly bacteria.

"Because of baseless reports, it will affect business and the economy. No tourists would come to Malaysia, except journalist who want to actually see the bacteria," said Mahathir at a press conference at the end of a two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference yesterday.

In a related development, health ministry secretary-general Alias Ali said the ministry is ready to handle the anthrax threat.

He added the ministry has drawn up contingency measures and placed experts on alert to deal with any possible outbreak.