Decontamination Guidelines for Anthrax Threat Response

SCOPE

York County as well as any other area of the country is subject to Anthrax threats or scares.  Rather responses are to real threats or not, all will be considered a threat until deemed otherwise.  Anthrax is a bacterium and can be controlled fairly easy with simple decontamination methods. The Office of Emergency Management will respond in a logistical mode and support other emergency response agencies.  The following is information compiled from several sources and are merely guidelines for responders.

Decontamination of Equipment

1. Responders may choose to use a 10:1 sodium hypochloride (household bleach) solution which may be sprayed onto equipment or equipment may be submerged in the solution in a decon pool or bucket.
2. Equipment that may be damaged by the bleach solution may be wiped down with an antibacterial wipe (ie. Clorox wet wipes).
3. Equipment can also be decontaminated by using antibacterial soap solution. Same methods as # 1, substituting the soap for the bleach.

 
Decontamination of Personnel

1. Before removing any clothing suspected of being contaminated, responders should first mist the clothing with water to prevent aerosolization of product (very fine mist, no pressure).
2. When clothing is removed it should be placed in a plastic bag and bag should be closed. If the clothing is being kept as evidence the bag should simply be closed and properly marked as evidence, then turned over to law enforcement.
3. If clothing is not being kept as evidence it may be placed in a plastic bag, decon pool or container and washed with antibacterial soap and water solution. Clothing can then be laundered in a separate wash cycle in the washing machine.
4. Individuals should then wash any potentially exposed area of their body with antibacterial soap and water. If showering, personnel should begin by washing hair and working downward towards the feet, taking care to not get water in eyes, nose and mouth. Personnel should wash or shower immediately. DO NOT USE BLEACH OR OTHER DISINFECTANT ON SKIN.

Information collected from Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

For additional SC DHEC information or assistance:

General Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response questions (803) 898-0289
Disease Control/Clinical Diagnosis/Epidemiology questions (803) 898-0861
Biological emergencies 1-888-847-0902