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This
is an official CDC Health Advisory
Distributed via Health
Alert Network
October 12, 2001, 21:00
EDT (9:00 PM EDT)
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. suspicious Unopened letter
or PACKAGE MARKED WITH 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. 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.
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
=======================================
You have received this message based upon the
information contained within our emergency notification data base. If
you have a different or additional e-mail or fax address that you would
like us to use please notify us as soon as possible by e-mail at
healthalert@cdc.gov. =======================================
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