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How
to Handle Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats
Many
facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax
threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery
substances. The purpose of these guidelines is to recommend procedures
for handling such incidents.
DO
NOT PANIC
1. Anthrax
organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system,
or the lungs. To do, so the organism must be rubbed into abraded
skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease
can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment
with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one
person to another person.
2.
For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized
into very small particles. This is difficult to do, and requires
a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these
small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can
occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.
3.
The form of anthrax that you would be most likely to see in a mail
center would be spores that look like a dry powder, the consistency
of bath powder
4. The GSFC mailroom x-rays all mail (letters and packages), then
manually screen the mail. Suspicious mail is set aside for review
by official personnel
FOR
SUSPICIOUS UNOPENED LETTER OR PACKAGE:
1.
Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or
package.
2. PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other
type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
3. If you do not have any container, then COVER the envelope or
package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and
do not remove this cover.
4. Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area
to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
5. WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any
powder to your face.
6. What to do next…
If you are at HOME, then report the incident by dialing 911.
If you are at WORK, then report the incident by dialing 911, and
notify an available supervisor.
7. LIST all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious
letter or package was recognized. Give this list to the emergency
response representative who responded. They will pass this list
on to the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials
for follow-up investigations and advice.
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HOW
TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES AND LETTERS
Some
characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include
the following…
·
Excessive postage
·
Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
·
Incorrect titles, or title, but no name
·
Misspellings of common words
·
Oily stains, discolorations or odor
·
Rigid or bulky in appearance
·
Powders, stains, or residues
·
Possible mail from a foreign country
·
No return address
·
Excessive weight
·
Lopsided or uneven envelope
·
Protruding wires or aluminum foil
·
Excessive security material such as masking tape, string,
etc.
· Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal"
or "Confidential"
· Shows a city or state in
the postmark that does not match the return address |
ANTHRAX
FACTS
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming
bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in
hoofed mammals (cattle, sheep, and goats) and can also infect
humans. Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease
was contracted, but usually occur within 7 days after exposure.
The serious forms of human anthrax are inhalation anthrax, cutaneous
anthrax, and intestinal anthrax. (See next page for further
info.) |
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