Update on the role of the National Public Health Laboratory in response to anthrax threats, Nov 2

CAREC ALERT

November 2, 2001

Update on the role of the National Public Health Laboratory in response to anthrax threats

telephone queries

A telephone log should be instituted for recording client queries, their resolution and test results given by telephone.

Receipt of suspicious letters or packages in the laboratory

All suspicious letters or packages should be logged on receipt in the laboratory. The following items of information should be recorded:

	Name and contact details of the person who delivered the letter or package
	If the letter or package was received opened or sealed
	If available, information as to why the person submitting the letter or package believed it to be suspicious
	The name of the person in the laboratory who received the letter or package
	The name and contact details of the person or organization to whom the report of the test result should be sent.

The laboratory must institute a system for providing staff cover to receive and process specimens outside of normal working hours as necessary.

Opening of suspicious letters or packages

All letters and packages should be opened as soon as possible, and within 24 hours after receipt at the laboratory. Letters and packages should be opened in a certified class II biological safety cabinet, with the fan OFF until the powder is suspended as recommended in CAREC’s Laboratory Safety Guidelines for Handling Suspected Anthrax Samples. ALL laboratory staff must be alerted as to the urgency of this situation, which would require swift processing of these specimens.

anthrax testing

National laboratories should use the CAREC Laboratory Safety Guidelines for Handling Suspected Anthrax Samples to evaluate their capacity to conduct tests for anthrax. It is preferable that the national laboratory do the initial testing and refer the isolate to CAREC. This will significantly reduce the waiting time for negative results. CAREC should be alerted if you receive a powder suspicious for anthrax and you should liaise with CAREC’s laboratory for guidance regarding test procedures and/or referral.

If you determine that your laboratory is unable to test for anthrax, specimens should be triple packaged and transported to CAREC within 24 hours in accordance with CAREC’s Laboratory Safety Guidelines for Handling Suspected Anthrax Samples. CAREC should also be alerted to expect the package. It is ILLEGAL for specimens to be hand carried on commercial aircrafts, based on International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA-DGR)

anthrax test results

A system for providing rapid reports on submitted specimens must be instituted. After testing is complete suspicious letters or packages should be dealt with in accordance with your county national plan.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, do not panic, work sensibly and use your experience to address your situation in an efficient manner.

Please do not hesitate to call CAREC for advice or assistance.

Caribbean Epidemiology Centre
16-18 Jamaica Boulevard, Federation Park
P.O. Box 164, Port of Spain
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: (868) 622-4261, Fax: (868) 622-2792
E-mail: postmaster@carec.paho.org

Page last modified 02 November, 2001