Anthrax CDC Advisory

Adapted from CDC Health Advisory

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, but 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 person to 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. LEAVE the area and section off the area to prevent others from entering (ie. keep others away).
    

4. WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading of any powder to your face.
    

5. What to do next…
   
   If you are at HOME, dial "911" to report the incident to emergency services.
   
   If you are at WORK, dial "911" to report the incident to emergency services and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.
   
    

6. 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.
    

2. LEAVE the area and section off the area to prevent others from entering (ie. 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, dial "911" to report the incident to emergency services.
   
   If you are at WORK, dial "911" to report the incident to emergency services 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 disinfectants 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, dial "911" to report the incident to emergency services.
   
   If you are at WORK, dial "911" to report the incident to emergency services 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
   

• misspelling of common words
   

• oily stains, discolouration or odour
   

• no return address
   

• excessive weight
   

• lopsided or uneven envelope
   

• protruding wires or aluminum foil
   

• excessive security material, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
   

• shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address