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FOR
AN ENVELOPE OR PACKAGE WITH POWDER AND POWDER SPILLS OUT ONTO SURFACE:
1.
DO NOT try to CLEAN UP the powder. COVER the spilled contents immediately
with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not
remove this cover!
2. Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area
to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
3. WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any
powder to your face.
4. 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.
5. REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and
place in a plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed.
This clothing bag should be given to the emergency responders for
proper handling.
6. SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible. Do Not Use Bleach
or Other Disinfectant on Your Skin.
7. If possible, list all people who were in the room or area, especially
those who had actual contact with the powder. Give this list to
the emergency response representative who responded. They will pass
this list on to the local public health so that proper instructions
can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials
for further investigation.
8. Re-enter premises only after given clearance by emergency personnel
QUESTION
OF ROOM CONTAMINATION BY AEROSOLIZATION:
For example: small device triggered, warning that
air-handling system is contaminated, or warning that a biological
agent released in a public space.
1. Turn off any local fans.
2. LEAVE area immediately.
3. CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from
entering (i.e., keep others away).
4. 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.
5. If possible, list all people who were in the room or area. Give
this list to the emergency response representative who responded.
They will pass this list on to the local public health so that proper
instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement
officials for further investigation.
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SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS OF ANTHRAX EXPOSURE
Inhalation
anthrax infection may resemble a common cold. After several
days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems
and shock. Inhalation anthrax is often fatal.Intestinal anthrax
(from eating undercooked meat from infected animals) is characterized
by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial
signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever are
followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe
diarrhea.Cutaneous anthrax infections occur when the bacterium
enters a cut or abrasion on the skin. Skin infection begins
as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within
1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer,
usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic
(dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area
may swell. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial
therapy.Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely
unlikely, if it occurs at all. Therefore, there is no need
to immunize or treat contacts of persons ill with anthrax,
such as household contacts, friends, or coworkers, unless
they also were also exposed to the same source of infection.In
persons exposed to anthrax, infection can be prevented with
antibiotic treatment. Early antibiotic treatment of anthrax
is essential-delay lessens chances for survival. Anthrax usually
is susceptible to penicillin, doxycycline, and fluoroquinolones.
An anthrax vaccine also can prevent infection. Vaccination
against anthrax is not recommended for the general public
to prevent disease and is not available.
For further medical information, contact the Health Unit at
6-6666. Please check the GSFC Internal Homepage for additional
information and links for further feedback.
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