Bioterrorism preparedness frequently asked questions
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- How can I prevent anthrax exposure from cross-contaminated mail
- How can mail get cross-contaminated
- Am I likely to get anthrax from handling my mail
- Should I be concerned about cross-contamination of my mail box, mail storage area, kitchen table, etc. where I open my mail How should I clean these areas to protect my family
- Should I wear gloves to retrieve or open my mail
- Can I decontaminate my mail with UV light, microwave, ironing, etc
- If the possibility of cross-contamination of the mail exists, should I take antibiotics
- Am I at risk for getting anthrax from handling mail on the job
- What kind of mail should be considered suspicious
- Other suspicious signs
HANDLING MAILHow many people have gotten anthrax from handling mail? As of December 5, 2002 a total of 22 cases of anthrax have been identified in the U.S.—11 were confirmed as inhalational anthrax and 11 (seven confirmed and four suspected) were cutaneous. Of the 11 cases of inhalational anthrax, direct exposure to Bacillus anthracis-containing envelopes was confirmed or likely in the first nine cases. The other two (one case each in CT and NY) are still under investigation. How can I prevent anthrax exposure from cross-contaminated mail? CDC realizes that some people might be concerned about handling their mail. There are no scientifically proven recommendations for preventing exposure. However, there are some common-sense steps people can take:
How can mail get cross-contaminated? Cross-contamination of the mail could occur during the processing, sorting, and delivery of mail when an envelope comes in contact with an envelope, piece of equipment (e.g., an electronic sorting machine), or other surface that is contaminated with anthrax spores. In addition, airborne spores in contaminated postal facilities before they were cleaned might play a role. Am I likely to get anthrax from handling my mail? If there is any risk for inhalational anthrax associated with exposure to cross-contaminated mail, it is very low. Approximately 85 million pieces of mail were processed on the days after envelopes containing anthrax passed through the New Jersey and District of Columbia sorting facilities until they were closed. Despite the fact that both of these facilities had evidence of widespread environmental contamination with anthrax spores and the fact that public health officials have been aggressively looking for anthrax cases, no new cases of anthrax have been identified. Should I be concerned about cross-contamination of my mail box, mail storage area, kitchen table, etc. where I open my mail? How should I clean these areas to protect my family? CDC does not recommend any special cleaning procedures for areas that are in contact with mail. Persons who are concerned about their risk may wish to consider washing their hands. However, the effectiveness of these steps in reducing any residual risk is not known. Should I wear gloves to retrieve or open my mail? CDC does not recommend use of gloves for handling mail delivered to the home. Persons who choose to do so should be aware that use of gloves made of latex can sometimes result in the development of skin sensitivity or allergies. Can I decontaminate my mail with UV light, microwave, ironing, etc? While some of these methods may kill some anthrax spores, it is not known what procedures to use (e.g., length of time, temperature, etc.). Furthermore, because of insufficient data on the efficacy and safety of these methods in inactivating anthrax spores, CDC does not recommend these techniques for reliable decontamination. If the possibility of cross-contamination of the mail exists, should I take antibiotics? Preventive antibiotics are not recommended for persons who routinely open or handle mail, either at home or at the workplace. Antimicrobial prophylaxis is recommended only in certain specific situations such as for persons exposed to an air space known to be contaminated with aerosolized Bacillus anthracis or for persons in a postal sorting facility in which an envelope containing anthrax spores was processed. Am I at risk for getting anthrax from handling mail on the job? If there is a risk for inhalational anthrax associated with exposure to cross-contaminated mail, it is very low, even for postal employees and persons who work in company mailrooms. CDC has published interim recommendations that are intended to assist personnel responsible for occupational health and safety in developing a comprehensive program to reduce potential cutaneous or inhalational exposures to Bacillus anthracis spores among workers in work sites where mail is handled or processed. What kind of mail should be considered suspicious? Some characteristics of suspicious envelopes and packages include the following: - Inappropriate or unusual labeling - Excessive postage - Handwritten or poorly typed addresses - Misspellings of common words - Strange return address or no return address - Incorrect titles or title without a name - Not addressed to a specific person - Marked with restrictions, such as “Personal,” “Confidential,” or “Do not x-ray” - Marked with any threatening language - Postmarked from a city or state that does not match the return address Appearance - Powdery substance felt through or appearing on the package or envelope - Oily stains, discolorations, or odor - Lopsided or uneven envelope - Excessive packaging material such as masking tape, string, etc. Other suspicious signs - Excessive weight - Ticking sound - Protruding wires or aluminum foil If a package or envelope appears suspicious, DO NOT OPEN IT. What should people do who get a letter or package containing a suspicious powder?
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