What Is Anthrax
Anthrax is only one component of bio-terrorism. This acute, infectious disease is in the forefront since its presence on Capitol Hill and local post offices. Tomorrow it could be the plague, botulism, smallpox, or chemical weapons or a bomb.
Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus antracis. It is easy to produce and disperse. There is no screening test for anthrax, just determination if you have been exposed. Infection is not contagious -- spread from one person to another -- and can be prevented after exposure with antibiotic treatment.
Infection occurs three ways:
- Cutaneous - is rubbed into abraded skin. Infection begins as a raised itchy bump that looks like an insect bite that develops into a painless ulcer with a black dying area in the center.
- Intestinal - occurs from consumption of contaminated food and is characterized by acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Signs include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever, followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea.
- Inhalational - spores are inhaled as a fine aerosol mist and deposited in the lungs. Symptoms resemble a cold, but after several days, progress to severe breathing problems and shock.
What precautions should you take?
- Practice good personal hygiene.
- Since the exposure has come from the mail, follow the USPS procedures which have been established for handling suspicious mail.
What constitutes suspicious mail? Parcels that:
- are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
- are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated
- have no return address, or have one that can't be verified as legitimate
- are marked with restrictive markings, such as "personal" or "confidential"
- have protruding wires, strange odors, or stains
- show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return address
- have excessive postage, tape or string
What should I do with a suspicious piece of mail?
- don't handle a letter or package you suspect is contaminated
- don't shake it, bump it, or sniff it
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
- notify local law enforcement authorities
To notify local law enforcement authorities in Charles County call:
- 911 for a life-threatening emergency
- to report suspicious activity, suspicious mail, or if you have other non-emergency questions about substances or activities:
- Charles County Sheriff's Office: (301) 932-2222
- Maryland State Police, Barrack H, La Plata: (301) 392-1200
- La Plata Town Police: (301) 934-1500 - When you call, don't panic. Keep calm. Answer the questions asked by the 911 call taker or dispatcher. Your response is important in how the incident will be handled. Follow their instructions until help arrives.
- REMEMBER: LAW ENFORCEMENT TREATS CALLS SERIOUSLY. ALL HOAXES AND THREATS WILL BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.