Anthrax and Biological Threats - What To Do
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 (released by the Centers for
Disease Control October 12, 2001) is to recommend procedures for handling such
incidents. You may want to print these guidelines and keep them handy.
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.
If you receive a suspicious unopened letter or package marked with a
threatening message such as "Anthrax:"
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 to local police.
- If you are at WORK, then report the incident to local police, and
notify your building security official or 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 both the local public health
authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and
advice.
If you receive an envelope 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 to local police.
- If you are at WORK, then report the incident to local police, and
notify your building security official or 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 both the local
public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for medical
follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.
If there is a 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 local fans or ventilation units in the area.
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
dial "911" to report the incident to local police and the local FBI field
office.
- If you are at WORK, then dial "911" to report the incident to
local police and the local FBI field office, and notify your building
security official or an available supervisor.
5. SHUT down air handling system in the building, if possible.
6. If possible, list all people who were in the room or area. Give this list
to both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be
given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further
investigation.
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
- Title, but no name
- Misspellings of common words
- Oily stains, discolorations or odor
- No return address
- Excessive weight
- Lopsided or uneven envelope
- Protruding wires or aluminum foil
- Excessive security material such as masking tape,
string, etc.
- Visual distractions
- Ticking sound
- Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as
"Personal" or "Confidential"
- Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return
address
For more information, please read the following MedicineNet.com articles:
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
(Source: provided with the kind permission of the
Centers for Disease Control.)
Last Editorial Review: 7/19/2002
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