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What
should I do if I have an anthrax threat at my
worksite?
The actions that will constitute
an appropriate response for an anthrax threat will
depend on how the threat was discovered and the
credibility of a threat at your facility (for example,
which zone your facility fits into on the Anthrax
Risk Reduction Matrix).
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| Discovery of
Possible Contamination or Threat |
Discovery of anthrax may
occur in several ways:
- Physical evidence (such as a suspicious
package containing powder),
- Epidemiological or medical observations
(such as individual cases of anthrax),
or
- Unsubstantiated threat (such as a phone
call or letter stating that anthrax has
been used).
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The following links provide additional information
about identifying suspicious packages:
- Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Health Advisory, Updated
Information About How To Recognize and Handle
a Suspicious Package or Envelope,
Distributed via the Health Alert Network
October 31, 2001, CDCHAN-00050-01-10-31-ADV-N.
- Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Advisory Poster, If
you receive a suspicious letter or package,
what should you do?, General Information
Bulletin 2000-3.
- United
States Postal Service, Mail Center Security
Website.
- Public Health Foundation, Bioterrorism/Emergency
Preparedness, Video: Protecting
Your Health for People Who Process, Sort and
Deliver the Mail
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| Evaluate
the Credibility of the Threat |
| The
first step to take for a potential anthrax
threat is to evaluate the credibility of
the threat. This is done by evaluating
where your facility fits on the Anthrax
Risk Reduction Matrix. The actions
you should take if you have an anthrax
threat at your worksite will depend on
your zone.
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| Determine
What Actions You Should Take |
After you have determined
which zone your facility fits into on the Anthrax
Risk Reduction Matrix, the following table
will help you determine what actions to take
if you have an anthrax threat at your worksite.
Roll over the color boxes below
(green, yellow, red) to see corresponding response
actions. (This rollover effect will only work in
Internet Explorer. For a version that works in
Netscape Navigator, click
here.)
| Nature
of the Anthrax Threat |
Response
Actions |
A credible anthrax
threat is unlikely at your facility.
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A credible anthrax
threat is possible at your facility.
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Anthrax is strongly
suspected or has been confirmed at your facility.
The appropriate authorities should already
be involved in the the anthrax mitigation
efforts.
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Physical
evidence
(such as a suspicious
package containing powder) |
1.
Determine if there is a logical explanation
for the "physical evidence" (such
as a suspicious package or powder). Some
examples may include:
- If you receive a suspicious package,
try to identify who sent it and call
them to ask about it.
- If you find suspicious powder, try
to determine if the powder came from
a logical source (such as a powdered
soap dispenser, spilled baking soda
box, construction debris, etc.).
2. If you determine
that the "physical evidence" came
from a logical source and it is not suspicious,
it is unlikely that anthrax is present.
1.
Determine if there is a logical explanation
for the "physical evidence" (such
as a suspicious package or powder). Some
examples may include:
- If you receive a suspicious package,
try to identify who sent it and call
them to ask about it.
- If you find suspicious powder, try
to determine if the powder came from
a logical source (such as a powdered
soap dispenser, spilled baking soda
box, construction debris, etc.).
2. If you determine
that the "physical evidence" came
from a logical source and it is not suspicious,
it is unlikely that anthrax is present.
or
If you cannot find a logical explanation
for the "physical evidence:"
1.
Notify the authorities overseeing mitigation
of anthrax at your facility. If authorities
aren't involved yet, call 9-1-1 and report
the threat.
2. Initiate your Emergency
Action Plan (EAP), or continue EAP
activities if already underway. |
Epidemiological
or medical observations
(such as individual
cases of anthrax) |
1.
If one or more employees are exhibiting
symptoms of anthrax:
- Encourage them to see a health care
professional to evaluate the cause
of the symptoms.
- Many of the anthrax symptoms are
similar to common illnesses, such as
the flu, and can cause unnecessary
distress in the workplace.
2. If no confirmed
cases of anthrax are discovered, it is
unlikely that a credible threat of anthrax
exposure exists at your worksite.
1.
If one or more employees are exhibiting
symptoms of anthrax:
- Encourage them to see a health care
professional to evaluate the cause
of the symptoms.
- Many of the anthrax symptoms are
similar to common illnesses, such as
the flu, and can cause unnecessary
distress in the workplace.
2. If no confirmed
cases of anthrax are discovered, it is
unlikely that a credible threat of anthrax
exposure exists at your worksite.
or
If a confirmed case of anthrax is discovered
at your worksite:
- Notify your local health department.
Call 9-1-1 if you are unsure who to
contact.
- Follow the directions of the health
department and help them determine
if your workplace may have been the
source of the exposure.
1.
Notify the authorities overseeing mitigation
of anthrax at your facility. If authorities
aren't involved yet, call 9-1-1 and report
the threat.
2. Follow the directions of the authorities
overseeing mitigation to help them identify
all persons who might have been exposed
to anthrax. |
Threat
(such as a phone call
or letter stating that anthrax has been used) |
1.
Call 9-1-1 and report the threat. An
anthrax threat is a criminal act, regardless
if the threat is credible or not.
1.
Call 9-1-1 and report the threat. An
anthrax threat is a criminal act, regardless
if the threat is credible or not.
2. Notify your employees of the threat.
Inform them to be cautious of suspicious
mail/packages and to report any potential
anthrax found in the workplace.
3. If physical evidence is discovered,
initiate your Emergency
Action Plan (EAP).
1.
Notify the authorities overseeing mitigation
of anthrax at your facility. The threat
may help them identify the source of
the anthrax if not already identified.
If authorities aren't involved yet, call
9-1-1 and report the threat.
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