Bioterrorism - Anthrax Advisory

On-campus emergency: Dial (x2222)
Cell phone: Dial 406-657-2222

How to identify Suspicious Packages and Letters

Some characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include the following:

  • Excessive postage
  • Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
  • Incorrect titles
  • Title, but no name
  • Misspellings of common words
  • Oily stains, discoloration or odor
  • No return address
  • Excessive weight
  • Lopsided or uneven envelope
  • Protruding wires or aluminum foil
  • Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.
  • Visual distractions
  • Ticking sound
  • Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
  • Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address

Suspicious unopened letter or package marked with a threatening message such as "Antrax"

  • Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
  • Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
  • If you do not have a container, cover the envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover.
  • Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
  • Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.

 What To Do Next:

  • If you are at home, report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement agency (Billings Police or Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Department) through the City/County dispatch center at 657-8200.
  • If you are at work at MSU Billings, notify the University Police office at (x2222) or (x2147).
  • List all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list both to the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and advice.

See the Centers for Disease Control web site for more Anthrax information.

Information taken from a CDC Health Advisory distributed via Health Alert Network on October 12, 2001.

How to Handle Antrax and Other Biological Agent Threats

Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances. The purpose of these guidelines is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents. Do Not Panic. Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do so, the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another. For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do, and requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.

Envelope with powder and powder spills onto surface:

Do not try to Clean up the powder. Cover the spilled contents immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover! Then leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away). Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.

What To Do Next

  • If you are at home, report the incident to local authorities.
  • If you are at work at MSU Billings, report the incident to the University Police office at (x2222) or (x2147).
  • Remove heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed. This clothing bag should be given to the emergency responders for proper handling.
  • Shower with soap and water as soon as possible. Do Not Use Bleach or Other disinfectant on your skin.
  • If possible, list all people who were in the room or area, especially those who had actual contact with the powder. Give this list both to the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.

Question of Room Contamination by Aerosolization

For example: small device triggered, warning that air-handling system is contaminated, or warning that a biological agent released in a public space:

  • Turn off local fans or ventilation units in the area.
  • Leave the area immediately.
  • Close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).

What To Do Next

  • If you are at home, dial "911" to report the incident to local authorities and the local FBI field office.
  • If you are at work, dial (x2222) or (x2147) to report the incident to the University Police and the local FBI field office, and notify your supervisor.
  • Shut down the air handling system in the building, if possible,
  • If possible, list all people who were in the room or area. Give this list to both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.