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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
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