Workers sent home after World Bank anthrax scare

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Employees of the the World Bank were asked to work from home for the next few days after some mail tested positive for anthrax on Monday.

World Bank spokeswoman Caroline Anstey told CNN that a bundle of mail tested positive after an initial test for anthrax, but then tested negative following a more extensive test.

About 1,200 employees departed the World Bank, located in downtown Washington, at 4 p.m. EDT "as a precaution," she said.

According to Anstey, no specific threats were received by the bank nor was there a specific piece of mail that seemed suspicious.

The results of a culture analysis, which the bundle will now undergo, will be ready late Wednesday or Thursday, Anstey said.

The World Bank is one of the world's largest sources of development assistance, working in more than 100 developing nations, according to a message on its Web site. It is headquartered in Washington and employs more than 8,000 people there.