Anthrax letters unlikely, but here are handling tips

The Deseret News ^ | 10/10/2001

[Utah Girl]

In the unlikely event someone receives an anthrax threat letter — most of which prove to be empty or filled with talcum powder — the state Health Department has issued tips.

The first rule is not to panic, according to Jana Kettering, department spokeswoman. Exposure is more complicated than just being around it. Anthrax has to be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. All three forms can usually be treated with antibiotics. And most biological weapons cannot be aerosolized out of an envelope containing powder.

Nevertheless, if an unopened letter or an empty letter arrives, place it in a plastic bag, wash your hands with soap and water and call your supervisor, the police and the FBI.

If an envelope contains powder that spills out, don't clean it up. And keep others away. Again, wash your hands with soap and water and notify authorities. You should also tell them who had contact with the powder. Those people may be warned to watch for fever or symptoms over several days.

A package marked with a threatening message, such as "Anthrax," should not be opened. Instead, evacuate the room and keep others from entering, then notify the authorities.

In cases of aerosolization, a small explosion or a letter stating "anthrax in heating system," the Health Department says to get out of the room and secure it, then shut down the air-handling system. Notify authorities and stay on the premises until they arrive.

Again, make a list of people who were in the building at the time and give it to local public health officials.

If you receive suspicious, unlabeled mail, call the police. Don't open it.

[Utah Girl]

I thought this was very useful information to have. And I put it in the Breaking News. It is OK if it is taken out, I just thought this was important to have the facts on how to handle anthrax.

[ALfreereeper]

Thanx for the tips Utah, better safe then sorry...

[backhoe]

Thanks- I'll cross-link it here:

Nuclear, Biological, & Chemical Warfare- Survival Skills, Pt. II

[He Rides A White Horse]

A package marked with a threatening message, such as "Anthrax," should not be opened. .

Really?

[Utah Girl]

Yeah, I thought that was a stupid sentence in the article. Duh.

[illstillbe]

Thank you, Utah Girl ...

You're a true Patriot and friend, you are ... *grins*

[Utah Girl]

I don't want to cause hysteria or anything, but it is better to be educated about something, and have a concrete plan just in case.

[oc-flyfish]

In cases of aerosolization, a small explosion or a letter stating "anthrax in heating system," the Health Department says to get out of the room and secure it, then shut down the air-handling system. Notify authorities and stay on the premises until they arrive.

Don't know about you guys but there is no way I would stay on the premises with anthrax running through the a/c.

[ZOOKER]

Suggested reading: Biowarfare for Dummies

[Cagey]

The first rule is not to panic.

[He Rides A White Horse]

I thought it was funny. Good post though, Utah Girl.

[FITZ]

All the people I communicate with use e-mail, I'm more worried about internet viruses ----but I'd be very suspicious if anyone sent me regular mail now.

[Utah Girl]

I don't open anything that doesn't have a return address on it, or if I don't know the person who sent it to me. Better safe than sorry.

[ChemistCat]

Right after 9/11 there was a rash of bomb threats here in OKC (not a town that takes bombs lightly.) The cops and fire dept. ran themselves ragged searching every school in the city, parents panicked, kids were scared. Even the private schools, not subject to the threat, locked down. Fortunately, phone techology made it possible to catch the culprits in every case. Funny thing, haven't heard a peep out of them since.

I wrote to the governor and my state reps asking for harsher penalties for these crimes during times of national crisis. Personally, I think it's treason and attempted murder to frighten people and distract emergency personnel at a time like this. I would like to see it become a capital crime to phone in a death threat, bomb threat, or talcum powder biothreat, because the resources tied up that way may be the resources we need to stop a real attack from happening. Just my humble opinion.

[liberalism=failure]

Handling tip number one-- don't open the letter with your nose.

[Let's Roll]

I like the way you think. Also, strict penalties for these air rage whackos - acting out nowadays gets a planeload of innocent bystanders in the cross hairs of an F16.

[Utah Girl]

Good one!

[ChemistCat]

Problem is, you can't legislate mental illness away, and I'm convinced that altitude triggers some people never before diagnosed. :-(

[LibWhacker]

Don't know about you guys but there is no way I would stay on the premises with anthrax running through the a/c.

They say to shut down the "air handling system," which I'm guessing also includes air conditioning. You're right, though; it'd be awfully hard to stay put. However, if you've been exposed to an aerosolized anthrax mist or otherwise been doused with spores, you're going to need to go on antibiotics anyway. Might as well not carry the stuff outside with you and expose other people.

[hole_n_one]

CNN showing a press conference now......another person (female) has tested positive for exposure to anthrax.