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anthrax

 

Anthrax Information

Following the genuine anthrax letters in 2001, tens of thousands of "suspicious substance" cases are reported every year. More than 150,000 anthrax hoaxes were reported between September 2001 and August 2002, and the number has increased since. As hoaxes, the reports have fallen from national media attention. But the pranks have an immediate economic and social impact, causing panic and evacuations, stifling productivity, and draining already limited public safety resources.

The US postal service, The Public Health laboratories and HSE in the UK have detailed information on their websites on how to prepare for a possible anthrax mail attack. In the meantime, the following may be of immediate assistance.

Why should we be concerned about a biological attack via our mail system?

Together with bomb attacks, chemical and biological warfare via the mail is a new choice for terrorists today. Even if the threat is a hoax, it can disrupt the day to day operation of your business.

A biological weapon can be delivered in anything that can produce an aerosol, including a wide variety of commercially available objects. The most likely form for dissemination of anthrax as a biological terrorist agent is aerosolization of spores. Unlike nuclear and chemical agents, biological agents are not detectable with the five human senses. You would never realize you may have been exposed to a biological agent until you started becoming sick with certain symptoms.

Past training in security planning for suspected letter and parcel bombs reminded us that since we all receive mail, a letter and parcel bomb security plan is an essential component of this process. For that reason, screening procedures for postal items should be in place.

The mailroom is the point where screening of incoming mail for suspect items should occur and those individuals who normally handle this mail sorting should carry out the screening action. This is critical because mailroom workers are most likely to notice postal items that are contrary to normal mail.

The following advice on detecting suspicious mail is taken from the USPS:

What should make me suspect a piece of mail?

  • It's unexpected or from someone you don't know.
  • It's addressed to someone no longer at your address.
  • It's handwritten and has no return address or bears one that you can't confirm is legitimate.
  • It's lopsided or lumpy in appearance.
  • It's sealed with excessive amounts of tape.
  • It's marked with restrictive endorsements such as "Personal" or "Confidential."
  • It has excessive postage.

What should I do if I receive an anthrax threat?

These threats require prompt action by health, law enforcement and laboratory personnel. Coordination and communication across agencies are necessary to protect the public and first responders from agents such as anthrax.

If you opened a letter that claims to have contaminated you with anthrax and there is no substance in the letter or envelope, no one including the person opening the letter, is at risk. No decontamination or treatment is necessary. Notify your supervisor and they will notify the appropriate officials.

If you opened a letter that caims to have contaminated you with anthrax and there is a substance in the letter or envelope the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta recommends the following steps:

  • Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package;
  • Double bag the letter or package in zipper-type or zip-lock type plastic bags using latex gloves, or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents;
  • If you do not have any container, then COVER the envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.).
  • DO NOT REMOVE THIS COVER; Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away);
  • Notify your immediate supervisor and both local police and the FBI, who will arrange to collect the letter/package and assess the threat situation;
  • WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face;
  • Ensure that all persons who have touched the letter wash their hands with soap and water;
  • 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;
  • Place all items worn at the time in plastic bags and keep them available for law enforcement; If possible change clothing in the workplace and DO NOT let anyone else touch the clothing.
  • Shower with soap and water;

¿Qué es lo que constituye un «envío sospechoso» ?

  • Es inesperado o proviene de alguien a quien usted no conoce.
  • Está dirigido a alguien que no reside más en esa dirección. Está mal escrito o no tiene la dirección del remitente o tiene una que no puede ser verificada como auténtica.
  • Tiene un peso fuera de lo normal, en función de su tamaño, o está ladeado o tiene forma extraña.
  • Está sellado excesivamente con cinta adhesiva.
  • Está marcado con anotaciones restrictivas, tales como "Personal" o "Confidencial".
  • Tiene franqueo excesivo.

¿Qué debería hacer en caso de recibir un envío sospechoso por correo?

  • No manipule ni trate de abrir una carta o encomienda que usted sospecha estar contaminada.
  • No sacuda, no golpee, no huela el envío.
  • Lávese las manos con jabón y agua
  • Llame a un inspector postal o a otras autoridades.

 

More information ?

Anthrax FAQs

White Powders in the mail

Information on detecting hazardous mail?

Letterbomb recognition

X-ray scanners for powder detection