Anthrax scares hit postal centers in New Zealand and Australia

War on terrorism: Anthra

Fresh anthrax alerts hit postal centers in New Zealand and Australia , forcing their closure after workers found mail carrying unidentified white powder.

Staff at the South Auckland mail center in the city's Manukau suburb were evacuated when a worker noticed white powder on her hands.

Ambulance spokesman Murray Bannister said the woman and one other person were taken to hospital for observation, and 30 workers were decontaminated in showers. The powder was being tested, he said.

At the rural town of Linton, near an army camp and 180 kilometers (112 miles) north of the capital, Wellington, the post office was closed and secured by emergency services after a similar white powder alert.

The two scares followed the closure Tuesday of a post office in the rural township of Eltham, with the discovery of a parcel containing a yellowish powder.

Police said Wednesday the mail delivery center has reopened after initial analysis suggested anthrax was not contained in the mystery substance.

Later Wednesday, police issued a nationwide public warning for people to use care when handling mail.

Detective Superintendent Peter Marshall said there was no suggestion of a biochemical threat against New Zealand, but people needed to be careful in the current environment.

"Anyone may be exposed to a suspicious piece of mail at work or at home," Marshall said in a statement.

In Australia, the main mail exchange in the southern city of Adelaide was evacuated overnight after a worker found white powder inside a mail bag.

Metropolitan Fire Service spokesman Bill Dwyer said the Adelaide Exchange was evacuated and 73 workers were given nasal swabs as a precaution to check for anthrax contamination. The powder was removed for analysis.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Tuesday promised tougher penalties of up to 10 years in jail for people behind the continuing spate of anthrax hoaxes that has forced building evacuations in several states.