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Farm and Home Biosecurity
Consumer/General Public and Livestock/Row Crop Producer
Biological Hazards Precautionary Checklist for Screening Mail
Recent anthrax exposure through mail delivered to media and
government offices suggests the need for precautionary measures for handling
suspicious mail. Even in the most normal of times, we receive a number of
strange letters and packages every day. Below are the features common to
threatening mail and the steps that staff and faculty should take if they come
across a suspicious letter.
Do not open mail with these characteristics:
- No return address
- Excessive postage
- Handwritten or poorly typed address of a suspicious nature
- Misspelling of common words
- Restrictive markings such as "Confidential,"
"Personal," etc.
- Excessive weight, bulky or heavily taped letters or
packages, or a powdery or unknown substance evident on the outside.
General precautions:
- Have one person responsible for opening all mail in an
office.
- Consider opening the mail only once each day.
- Have rubber gloves available for the person who opens the
mail. Do not use a particular pair of gloves more than one time. If the gloves
come in contact with any suspicious substance, dispose of them in a zip bag
and keep them in a suitable container until proper authority arrives.
If you come in contact with a suspicious letter:
- Do not open the letter. Notify your supervisor
immediately.
- Relax and remain calm. Although any threat of a biological
agent must be treated as though it is real, the FBI says most of these threats
are hoaxes. Health experts also ask us to remember that anthrax is NOT
contagious, and that treatment is readily available. Any person perpetrating a
hoax of this nature will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible under
the law.
If you have already opened the letter:
- Set it down gently, and then move to an area that will
minimize your exposure to others. Avoid contact with others if possible, but
remain in the area. Health assistance will come to you.
- Tell the nearest co-worker what has happened and ask him
or her to call your supervisor.
- Tell your co-workers to call the Maintenance Department to
have the building’s ventilation system shut down. Have a co-worker turn off
any fans in the area.
- Do not allow others into the area. Anyone who does enter
should stay until instructed to leave by the proper authorities.
- Remain calm. Exposure does not mean that you will become
sick. Health responders will provide specific information and instructions
about the symptoms and effective treatment to prevent illness.
- Do not pass the letter or note to others. Do not disturb
any contents in the letter or note. Handling the letter may only spread the
substance inside and increase the chances of its getting into the air.
- In all instances, notify your administration.
These hints are just a few things to look for or to do. You can
get more information on the web. Here are some helpful websites:
The proper authority is your local police, FBI, or health department.
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