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[ Facts
about Anthrax ] [ Surveillance
Guidelines in Response to Anthrax Threats ]
[ Laboratory
Safety Guidelines for Handling Suspected Anthrax Samples
]
[ Anthrax
Fact Sheet for Physicians ] [ How
to Handle Anthrax Threats ]
INFORMATION SHEET FOR THE
PUBLIC
HOW TO HANDLE ANTHRAX THREATS
Do Not Panic
Anthrax organisms can enter the body by being rubbed into broken 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. Person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely, if it
occurs at all.
For anthrax to cause pulmonary illness, 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 a huge number of these small
particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt
recognition and treatment are effective and available.
How To Identify Highly Suspicious Packages And
Letters
Highly suspicious packages and letters may include the following…
 | Suspicious messages on the outside, e.g., "Anthrax" |
| Powdery substance outside |
| Oily stains, discolorations or odour |
| Lopsided or uneven envelope |
| Protruding wires or aluminium foil |
| Ticking sound |
What You Should Do With A
Highly Suspicious Unopened Letter Or Package
Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of
container to prevent leakage of contents.
WASH your hands with soap and water.
What to do next…..
| If you are at WORK report to your supervisor, who will call [PLEASE
INSERT YOUR COUNTRY’S DESIGNATED TELEPHONE NUMBER HERE] and
notify your building security official. |
| If you are at HOME call [PLEASE INSERT YOUR COUNTRY’S
DESIGNATED TELEPHONE NUMBER HERE]. |
envelope or package with powder
Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of
container to prevent leakage of contents.
If any powder has spilled DO NOT try to CLEAN IT UP. Turn off fans and air
conditioning or ventilation units, do not sweep, vacuum, pour liquid or use
anything that would get the powder airborne. COVER the spilled contents
immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not
remove this cover
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.
What to do next…..
| If you are at WORK report to your supervisor, who will call [PLEASE
INSERT YOUR COUNTRY’S DESIGNATED TELEPHONE NUMBER HERE] and
notify your building security official. |
| If you are at HOME call [PLEASE INSERT YOUR COUNTRY’S
DESIGNATED TELEPHONE NUMBER HERE]. |
- REMOVE all contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a
plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed. Give this bag of
clothing to the emergency responders for proper handling.
- SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible. Do Not Use Bleach Or Other
Disinfectant On Your Skin. These tend to irritate the skin and may result in
increased absorption of infectious material.
- 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 the local
public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for
medical follow-up.
Thanks to the Ministry of Health, Trinidad and
Tobago, for participating in the development of these guidelines
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