NEW YORK (CNN) -- NBC officials confirmed Friday that an NBC Nightly News employee at the network's Rockefeller Plaza headquarters in Midtown Manhattan has tested positive for a skin anthrax infection.
The employee, a woman, is in good condition and is expected to recover, NBC executives said. The woman had received a suspicious envelope September 25 containing white powder that tested negative for anthrax, officials said. She later tested positive -- the results just became known Friday -- but had been taking antibiotics since October 1.
The New York Times also received a envelope containing white powder that is being tested for anthrax, Mayor Rudy Giuliani told a news conference. The Times confirmed to CNN that it had received a threat that was being investigated by New York police. Giuliani said the city is reacting to the incident with "an excess of caution."
"Today we learned that one of our employees at 30 Rockefeller Center has tested positive for the cutaneous (skin) anthrax infection," said a note to NBC employees from NBC chairman Bob Wright and NBC president Andy Lack.
"It is important to note that this is NOT the same respiratory anthrax that has been reported in the news. Obviously, we are concerned for the employee's well-being," the memo said. "She has received treatment and is responding well. She is in no danger, and she should recover fully and completely. The Department of Health is coordinating her ongoing care."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FBI, and the New York City Health Department are investigating.
In Washington, an administration official told CNN that President Bush was informed of the latest anthrax case before leaving for an appearance at a March of Dimes event.
A government source told CNN the source of the bacteria was "undetermined" and that state and local public health officials have been in contact with federal health and law enforcement authorities.
Cutaneous anthrax is not as serious as inhalation anthrax, which brings bacteria spores directly into the lungs.
Lack and Wright said that the white powder in the "suspicious mail" tested negative, but the employee tested positive for anthrax.
The executives said NBC had tightened security and was in the process of setting up an information center for employees.
The employee, a woman, is in good condition and is expected to recover, NBC executives said. The woman had received a suspicious envelope September 25 containing white powder that tested negative for anthrax, officials said. She later tested positive -- the results just became known Friday -- but had been taking antibiotics since October 1.
The New York Times also received a envelope containing white powder that is being tested for anthrax, Mayor Rudy Giuliani told a news conference. The Times confirmed to CNN that it had received a threat that was being investigated by New York police. Giuliani said the city is reacting to the incident with "an excess of caution."
"Today we learned that one of our employees at 30 Rockefeller Center has tested positive for the cutaneous (skin) anthrax infection," said a note to NBC employees from NBC chairman Bob Wright and NBC president Andy Lack.
"It is important to note that this is NOT the same respiratory anthrax that has been reported in the news. Obviously, we are concerned for the employee's well-being," the memo said. "She has received treatment and is responding well. She is in no danger, and she should recover fully and completely. The Department of Health is coordinating her ongoing care."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FBI, and the New York City Health Department are investigating.
In Washington, an administration official told CNN that President Bush was informed of the latest anthrax case before leaving for an appearance at a March of Dimes event.
A government source told CNN the source of the bacteria was "undetermined" and that state and local public health officials have been in contact with federal health and law enforcement authorities.
Cutaneous anthrax is not as serious as inhalation anthrax, which brings bacteria spores directly into the lungs.
Lack and Wright said that the white powder in the "suspicious mail" tested negative, but the employee tested positive for anthrax.
The executives said NBC had tightened security and was in the process of setting up an information center for employees.