US investigators track anthrax outbreak to New Jersey

Investigators are trying to track the US anthrax outbreak back to a New Jersey postal carrier who may have handled the envelopes.

FBI agents are tracing the route of the mailman, who contracted the skin form of the disease.

Post sent to a senator and a TV executive were franked at a New Jersey mail facility.

There are also reports a worker at a Washington postal office which delivers mail to Congress has tested positive for anthrax exposure.

A CBS News employee, who opens mail for anchorman Dan Rather, was earlier confirmed to have contracted the disease.

Six people in America have now tested positive for anthrax.

President George W Bush says officials have found no direct link between the anthrax cases and foreign interests such as al-Qaida. Speaking at an economic summit in China, he did not rule out the possibility the current attacks are acts of domestic terrorism, and vows to prosecute those who carry out anthrax hoaxes.

"Anybody who would mail anthrax letters to try to affect the lives of innocent people is evil," Mr Bush said. "Our nation will do what it takes to bring them to justice"

Anthrax-laced letters were sent to NBC anchor Tom Brokaw and Sen Tom Daschle. An assistant to Mr Brokaw and the infant son of a producer at ABC News tested positive for anthrax infection, and in Florida, the inhaled form of anthrax killed a photo editor at a tabloid publisher and sickened his co-worker.

More than 30 people - mostly Sen Daschle's aides in Washington - also have tested positive for exposure to anthrax spores.