CDC Advice to the Public

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 broken skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist.
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 Letter or Package

1. Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
2. DO NOT try to clean up powders or fluids.
3. Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
4. 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.
5. Then leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (keep others away).
6. Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face or skin.
7. What to do next?
        >  If you are at home, immediately call 911.
        >  If you are at work, report the incident to your supervisor or
            building security official, at which time a call will be placed to 911.
8. If possible, list all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized.
9. Remove heavily contaminated clothing and place in a plastic bag that can be sealed; give the bag to law enforcement personnel.
10. Shower with soap and water as soon as possible. Do not use bleach or disinfectant on your skin.

If you leave the scene prior to arrival of emergency responders see below:

Clothing:

• As soon as you get home, carefully remove your clothing (avoid shaking) and place them and shoes in a plastic bag tied at the top.  Place this bag in a 2^nd plastic bag and secure it also.  Keep in an out-of-the-way spot until results of the anthrax tests are known.
• Wash hands after handling clothes or any item that may be contaminated.
• You are not contagious, but as a precautionary measure you should avoid contact with household members until after bathing.
• If it was not a hoax, you will be contacted and the bag of clothes will be taken as evidence.

  Personal Bathing

• Immediately after removing clothes, bathe or shower thoroughly with soap and water.
• Clean water, saline solution, or commercial ophthalmic solutions may be used for rinsing eyes.

For More Information Regarding Anthrax or other Bioterrorism issues go to the CDC website at: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/