Georgia Department of Human
Resources • Division of Public Health
Two Peachtree Street NW •
Suite 15-470 • Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3186 • Tel: (404) 657-2700 • Fax: (404) 657-2715
Advice to the Public
How To Handle Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats
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.
What
are the Characteristics of a Suspicious Package?
The likelihood of receiving a package or letter containing suspicious
substances is remote. However, it is important for everyone to be aware
of characteristics that are common to suspicious packages. Some
indicators include, but are not limited to, the following:
·
Excessive postage
·
Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
·
Oily stains, discolorations or odor
·
No return address
·
Excessive weight, lopsided or uneven envelope
·
Ticking sound
·
A city or state in the postmark that does not match the return
address
Protocol for Suspicious
Letters or Packages:
·
Do not shake or empty the contents
of any suspicious envelope or package; DO NOT try to clean up powders or
fluids.
·
PLACE the envelope or package in a
plastic bag 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.) and 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).
·
WASH your hands with soap and
water to prevent spreading any powder to your face or skin.
·
If you are at HOME, then report
the incident to local police, who will conduct a credibility threat assessment.
·
If you are at WORK, then
report the incident to local police, and notify your building security
official or an available supervisor.
·
If possible, 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.
·
Remove clothing with evidence of the
suspicious substance and place in a plastic bag that can be sealed; give the
bag to law enforcement personnel.
·
Shower with soap and water as soon
as possible. Do not use bleach or
disinfectant on your skin.
For further information, please call the Georgia
Division of Public Health Event Information Line, operated by the Georgia
Poison Center, at 1-866-752-3442 (toll-free, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week).
Also, please visit the Georgia Division of Public Health Bioterrorism
webpage at
http://health.state.ga.us/programs/emerprep/bioterrorism.shtml