Anthrax is an acute infection caused by a spore-forming bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is most commonly found among wild and domestic cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores. However, humans can become infected with the disease when exposed to infected animals or their tissue. In addition, anthrax can be a potential threat to humans when used in biological warfare (a state in which infectious agents or toxic chemicals are being used as a weapon of mass destruction).

For more information visit The Center for Deiease Control Anthrax Section.

HOW TO HANDLE YOUR MAIL

What should make me suspect a piece of mail?

• It’s unexpected or from someone you don’t know.

• It’s addressed to someone no longer at your address.

• It’s handwritten and has no return address or bears one that you can’t confirm is legitimate.

• It’s lopsided or lumpy in appearance.

• It’s sealed with excessive amounts of tape.

• It’s marked with restrictive endorsements such as “Personal” or “Confidential”.

• It has excessive postage.

What should I do with a suspicious piece of mail?

• Don’t handle a letter or package that 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 and center for Disease Control, 770-488-7100.

What constitutes a suspicious letter or parcel?

Some typical characteristics which ought to trigger suspicion include letters or parcels that:

• Have any powdery substance on the outside.

• Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.

• Have excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed address, incorrect titles or titles with no name, or misspellings of common words.

• Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.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 of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.

• Have an unusual amount of tape.

• Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Personal” or “Confidential.”

• Have strange odors or stains.