|
How
can mail get cross-contaminated with anthrax?
CDC does not have specific studies to address this, however, 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 Bacillus
anthracis spores. In addition, airborne spores in contaminated postal facilities before they were cleaned might play a role.
When
there is a known incident, how can I prevent anthrax exposure from
cross-contaminated mail?
There are no scientifically proven recommendations for preventing exposure. However, there are some common-sense steps people can take:
- Do not
open suspicious mail
- Keep
mail away from your face when you open it
- Do not
blow or sniff mail or mail contents
- Avoid
vigorous handling of mail, such as tearing or shredding
- Wash
your hands after handling the mail
- Discard envelopes after opening mail.
What is the risk for getting anthrax from handling my own mail?
If there is a risk for inhalational anthrax associated with exposure
to cross-contaminated mail, it is very low. For example, about 85
million pieces of mail were processed on the few days in 2001 after
envelopes containing Bacillus anthracis (addressed to two U.S. senators)
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 B.
anthracis spores and the fact that public health officials had been aggressively
looking for anthrax cases, no new cases of anthrax were identified
during that time.
As a
postal employee, am I at risk for getting anthrax from handling mail
on the job when there is an anthrax cross-contaminated mail event?
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.
Detailed guidelines may be found on these Web sites:
When
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 B. anthracis spores was processed. CDC's complete
recommendations on antimicrobial prophylaxis are contained in the November
9, 2001 MMWR.
|
Top of Page
