APD Bulletin
Because of the terrorist's
attacks on September 11, 2001 and past anthrax incidents, the Attleboro
Police Department is issuing an advisory for the public on what to do if a
suspicious letter or package is received as well as information on
Anthrax.
The below information can also be
downloaded in a word.doc format to place for others to review in your home
or business.
susp.doc |
anthrax.doc |
USPS
Poster
Things to look for:
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Click on
the image to the left for some signs to look out for.
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- No return address
- Restrictive markings (PERSONAL etc.)
- Excessive postage
- Possibly mailed from a foreign country
- Addressed to a title only or incorrect
title
- protruding wires
- Lopsided or uneven
- Rigid or bulky
- Strange Odor
- Oily stains, discolorations or
Crystallization on wrapper.
- Excessive tape or string
- Misspelled words
- Badly typed or written
What you should do:
- Handle with care/Do not shake or bump
- Isolate and look for indicators
- Do not open, smell or taste
- Treat it as suspect and call the
Attleboro Police Department @ 508-222-1212
If parcel is open and/or threat is
identified.
For a Bomb
Evacuate and immediately call 911
For Radiological
Limit Exposure-Do Not Handle
Distance (Evacuate the area)
Shield yourself from the object
Call Police @ 508-222-1212
For Biological or Chemical
Isolate-Do not handle
Call Police @ 508-222-1212
Wash hands with soap and warm water.
What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is a disease caused by the Bacillus anthraces bacteria. It can
infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. It usually affects the
skin, but may also involve the respiratory (airway and lungs) and
intestinal (stomach and bowel) tracts.
How common is anthrax?
Anthrax is not very common. It occurs occasionally in industrialized
countries, including those in South and Central America and Eastern Europe
and Asia, and Africa. Normally, the people who get it are workers that
process animal hides, hair, bone and wool.
How is anthrax spread?
Getting anthrax from another person is very rare. Anthrax is generally
spread through the following three methods.
- Skin (cutaneous)-Most anthrax infections
occur when people touch contaminated animal products like wool, hair,
bone and hide. The infection occurs when the bacteria enters a scratch
or cut in the skin.
- Inhalation-Some anthrax infections occur
when people breath in spores of the bacteria. (A spore is the form that
certain bacteria take in unfavorable growing conditions. When in better
conditions, like the human lung, the bacteria will begin to grow and
cause disease.)
- Gastrointestinal-Some people may get
anthrax by eating infected food.
What are the symptoms of Anthrax?
- Skin (cutaneous)- First, the exposed
skin itches. Then, a large boil-like sore appears. The sore becomes a
black scab. If not treated, the infection can spread to the lymph node
and blood stream. It is usually non-fatal if treated with antibodies.
Incubation period is 1-7 days.
- Inhalation-First, people have cold or
flu-like symptoms. The symptoms can get worse, resulting in serious
breathing problems, and cause some people to stop breathing. Treatable
in early stages, mortality high if treatment is initiated after onset of
respiratory collapse. Incubation period is 2-60 days.
- Gastrointestinal-People may have fever;
pain in the abdomen; loose, watery bowel movements; and blood in their
vomit. Incubation period is 1-7 days.
What if you are exposed to anthrax?
If you have a skin exposure, you can shower with soap and water to reduce
the chance of getting cutaneous or gastrointestinal forms of the disease.
Your clothes do not pose any significant
health risk to you. Washing the clothes in the regular laundry will safely
remove any possible anthrax. You do not need to discard the clothes.
To be inhaled, anthrax must first be
aerosolized (dispersed in the air) which is difficult to do. Whether by
skin, gastrointestinal, or inhalation exposure you should seek immediate
medical attention and treatment.
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