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HOW
TO HANDLE ANTHRAX AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL AGENT THREATS
REMAIN
CALM
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 appropriate
antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another
person.
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. Treatment is available if you are
exposed.
MAIL
SCREENING CHECKLIST
Staff responsible for incoming mail should
maintain an awareness of the possibility of anthrax and other
potential biological or chemical agents in threat letters. These
threat letters "TYPICALLY", but not always:
- Do not
have a return address
- Have
excessive postage
- Are
handwritten or have a poorly typewritten address
- Misspell
common words
- Contain
restrictive markings such as "Confidential" or
"Personal", etc.
- Have
excessive weight and/or a "feel" of a powdery
substance
- Have
oily stains, discoloration or odor
- Use a
lopsided or uneven envelope
- Have
excessive security material, such as masking tape,
string, etc.
- Use a
title, but no name
- Shows a
city or state in the postmark that does not match the
return address
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IF
YOU RECEIVE A SUSPICIOUS LETTER OR PACKAGE
Do Not Open, Shake, Smell, Taste, or Empty any
suspicious mail or packages.
Contact your supervisor for further evaluation.
If it is determined that the letter or package appears suspicious,
the letter or package should remain sealed and public safety
officials notified.
WHAT
YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU OPEN A LETTER OR PACKAGE WITH AN UNKNOWN
SUBSTANCE
RELAX AND REMAIN CALM – Although any
threatened use of a chemical or biological agent must be treated
as though it is real, experience has demonstrated that these are
likely to be a HOAX.
HOW
TO HANDLE ANTHRAX AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL AGENT THREATS
1. Set the letter or package down gently
at the location where you first opened it. If possible, assure
that the contents are not disturbed and minimize the handling of
the letter or package. If the contents have spilled, you should
move to an area that will minimize your further exposure. Avoid
contact with others, if possible, but remain nearby.
2. DO NOT PASS THE LETTER OR PACKAGE TO
OTHERS TO LOOK AT.
3. Advise a coworker to contact a
supervisor. Call 9-1-1 for assistance.
4. If you are exposed to any of the
letter's contents, wash your exposed
areas with soap and water as soon as possible.
5. Do not allow others into the area or
leave the area until directed by Public Safety Officials. List all
people who were in the room or area.
6. The responding Public Safety agency
will conduct an assessment to determine if the exposure is a high
or low risk to you and others. Based on the assessment,
appropriate protective actions will be initiated.
WHAT
WILL HAPPEN NEXT
The responding Public Safety agencies will secure the letter or
package and as much of the residual substance as possible. The
letter or package will be turned over to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) for laboratory analysis. Exposed persons will
be treated in accordance with the level of risk and established
protocols.
The FBI analysis of the material takes at
least 48 hours.
IF THE MATERIAL IS POSITIVE FOR ANTHRAX OR OTHER POTENTIAL
BIOLOGIC OR CHEMICAL AGENT, OR THE RESPONDING FIRE DEPARTMENT
DETERMINES THE EXPOSURE IS A HIGH RISK, THE FBI NOTIFIES THE LOCAL
PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY AND YOU WILL BE CONTACTED.
If, prior to any notification, you develop any signs or symptoms
such as: irritation of the skin (rashes, etc.); irritation of the
respiratory system (productive coughing, sneezing, etc.); nausea
and vomiting; severe headaches, call your physician.
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