The mail handling precautions for handling mail which may have biological or
chemical agents is essentially the same as for mail which may contain an
explosive.
Precautions for blood borne pathogens should be followed in handling any suspect mail.
CAUTION INDICATORS
Excessive postage
No return or false address
Bad spelling Foreign, Priority, Special Mail
Restrictions: Confidential, Personal, Addressee Only
Distractions: Fragile, Rush, Handle With Care
Poorly typed or handwritten
Incorrect titles
Title without name
Oily stains or discoloration
Excessive or uneven weig
Excessive binding
Rigid, lopsided or uneven envelope
Protruding objects
Should you find this type of mail I suggest you not open it until you can determine it is safe to do so.
Should you discover a possible agent, immediately and softly put down the container. Move away from the container and warn others to do so.
CALL 911
You need to be isolated and personnel near you need to be isolated also. Try to keep your distance from everyone. Do not touch your nose or mouth.
Some instructions say that after contact with a foreign agent you should wash your face and hands with soap and water. However, some chemicals react to water. A more likely problem is you may spread the agent as you move around. Once emergency personnel arrive they can suggest how to clean up.
More than soap and water may be required. Should you decide to wash up before emergency personnel arrive, do not touch door handles or anything.
Ask to be taken to a wash area. Remain there until emergency personnel arrive. The person who takes you there should stand outside the door and not
let anyone enter the area.
Security needs to be notified you were in the area, which will have to sealed off.
Some people are anxious about anthrax at this time. A number of medical experts have said it's a treatable, noncontagious disease.
According to a very recent DHEC release your chances of dying from the flu are far greater than dying from anthrax. Some people who work around animals are constantly exposed to anthrax. Woolworkers reportedly inhale anthrax spores at the rate of 150-700 per hour. I understand it takes inhalation of 8,000-10,000 spores to get an infection from the inhaled form. So, you can inhale anthrax spores and still not have the disease.
Anthrax can cause illness in three ways:
- Inhalation
- Improperly cooked meat from animals with anthrax
- Through the skin.
The inhalational anthrax causes flu-like symptoms which may appear to improve. Subsequently breathing difficulty, heavy sweating, bluish skin and
shock follow.
Intestinal anthrax causes nausea, loss of appetite, fever, abdominal pain and severe diarrhea.
Cutaneous anthrax is the easiest to spot. It first looks like an insect bite, but in one or two days it becomes a painless ulcer with a black area
in the center.
DHEC suggests you get a flu shot. That will reduce your chances of confusing symptoms, and certainly you do not want to have the flu and
anthrax at the same time.