Anthrax Vials Mislabeled at N.J. Lab

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Two vials of anthrax reported missing recently were discovered this week mislabeled at a state lab, and officials blame a clerical error.

Authorities said they lost track of the vials nearly two weeks ago. They were found this week among thousands of samples collected in an investigation of a postal facility where anthrax-tainted letters were handled between 2001 and 2004.

Nobody was hurt and no anthrax was released as a result of the error, authorities said Tuesday. An FBI investigation on how the mistake was made remains open.

"It was a clerical error in the transcription of numbers," state epidemiologist Eddy Bresnitz said.

The vials were discovered missing when officials were preparing to move the samples to a building next door.

The anthrax was among more than 19,000 samples taken from the Hamilton Township postal facility near Trenton that handled anthrax-laced letters sent to NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw, two U.S. senators and the offices of the New York Post.

No arrests have been made.

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Good news, posted.

Brian

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