IP: cdc guidlines on package handling

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise 5.5.2
> Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 13:59:39 -0400
> From: "Paul Levy" <PLEVY () citizen org>
> To: <dave () farber net>
>
>
> More information similar to what you published from Tokyo
>
> Paul Alan Levy
> Public Citizen Litigation Group
> 1600 - 20th Street, N.W.
> Washington, D.C. 20009
> (202) 588-1000
> http://www.citizen.org/litigation/litigation.html
>
> >>> "Levy, Dan" <Dan.Levy () cfsan fda gov> 10/17/01 12:08PM >>>
>
> I thought your organizations might find the CDC guidelines interesting.  The
> original document is available at:
> http://www.bt.cdc.gov/DocumentsApp/Anthrax/10122001Handle/10122001Handle.asp
>
>
> This is an official
> CDC Health Advisory
>
> Distributed via Health Alert Network
> October 12, 2001, 21:00 EDT (9:00 PM EDT)
>
> 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 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.
>
> SUSPICIOUS UNOPENED LETTER OR PACKAGE MARKED WITH THREATENING MESSAGE SUCH
> AS "ANTHRAX":
> 1.      Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or
> package.
> 2.      PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of
> container to prevent leakage of contents.
> 3.      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.
> 4.      Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to
> prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
> 5.      WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder
> to your face.
> 6.      What to do next...
> · If you are at HOME, then report the incident to local police.
> · If you are at WORK, then report the incident to local police, and notify
> your building security official or an available supervisor.
> 7.      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.
>
> ENVELOPE WITH POWDER AND POWDER SPILLS OUT ONTO SURFACE:
> 1.      DO NOT try to CLEAN UP the powder.  COVER the spilled contents
> immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do
> not remove this cover!
> 2.      Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to
> prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
> 3.      WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder
> to your face.
> 4.      What to do next...
> · If you are at HOME, then report the incident to local police.
> · If you are at WORK, then report the incident to local police, and notify
> your building security official or an available supervisor.
>  5.     REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place
> in a plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed.  This clothing
> bag should be given to the emergency responders for proper handling.
>  6.     SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible.  Do Not Use Bleach
> Or Other Disinfectant On Your Skin.
>  7.     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
> both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be
> given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further
> investigation.
>
>  QUESTION OF ROOM CONTAMINATION BY AEROSOLIZATION:
>  For example: small device triggered, warning that air handling system is
> contaminated, or warning that a biological agent released in a public space.
>  1.     Turn off local fans or ventilation units in the area.
>  2.     LEAVE area immediately.
>  3.     CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from
> entering (i.e., keep others away).
>  4.     What to do next...
>  -      If you are at HOME, then dial "911" to report the incident to local
> police and the local FBI field office.
>  -      If you are at WORK, then dial "911" to report the incident to local
> police and the local FBI field office, and notify your building security
> official or an available supervisor.
>  5.     SHUT down air handling system in the building, if possible.
>  6.     If possible, list all people who were in the room or area. Give this
> list to both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions
> can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for
> further investigation.
>
>  HOW TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES AND LETTERS
>
>  Some characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include the
> following...
>
> · Excessive postage
> · Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
> · Incorrect titles
> · Title, but no name
> · Misspellings of common words
> · Oily stains, discolorations or odor
> · No return address
> · Excessive weight
> · Lopsided or uneven envelope
> · Protruding wires or aluminum foil
> · Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.
> · Visual distractions
> · Ticking sound
> · Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
> · Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return
> address
>
>
> =======================================
> You have received this message based upon the information contained within
> our emergency notification data base. If you have a different or additional
> e-mail or fax address that you would like us to use please notify us as soon
> as possible by e-mail at healthalert () cdc gov.
> =======================================
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________
>                         Dan D. Levy, Ph.D.
>                   U.S. Food and Drug Administration
>          Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
>      HFS 237                       (202) 205 4817  voice
>      200 C St. SW               (202) 205 4408    fax
>      Washington DC 20204            dlevy () cfsan fda gov
> ______________________________________________


For archives see: http://lists.elistx.com/archives/interesting-people/