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Health & Counseling Services
Anthrax Threat Guidelines
As reported daily by the news media during the past month, there is mounting concern
about the use of Anthrax in terrorism incidents around the country. Employees at
several media outlets and political offices have tested positive for Anthrax after
handling or being exposed to suspicious pieces of mail. While there is no reason to
believe that Colby students or employees are the target of such attacks, members
of the campus community are urged to follow simple precautions if they receive
suspicious or questionable envelopes or packages in the mail. It is important to
remember that Anthrax is generally treatable with antibiotics and is not contagious.
This page offers information on Anthrax, safety and contact information, and links to
useful external resources on this subject.
If you receive a suspicious letter or package:
- Do not try to open the package. If there is spilled powder, do not try to clean it up.
- Isolate the package and evacuate the immediate area
- Wash hands and exposed skin with soap and water.
- Call Security at x3911 and give them your exact location.
Security will contact local, state, and federal authorities as appropriate.
There are indicators that a package may be suspicious:
- Restrictive markings - the words "personal" or "private"
- Misspelled words
- Badly typed or written name and address
- Excessive postage
- Addressed to title only - President or Director not followed by a name
- Postmark city different from return address city
- Fictitious, unfamiliar or no return address
- Wrong title with name
- Protruding wires
- Oil stains
- Strange odors
- A letter that is rigid or bulky or a package that is lopsided
- The words "Fragile - handle with care" or "Rush - do not delay"
For more information about Anthrax:
- How to Handle Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats, Official Advisory from Centers for
- Disease Control
- FBI Advisory for Suspicious Mail, (PDF file)
- Questions and Answers about Anthrax, Centers for Disease Control
- Bioterrorism Resources in Maine, State of Maine, Dept. of Human Services, Bureau of Health
- What To Do If You Receive an Anthrax Threat, U.S. Postal Service
Campus Resources:
- Security: x3911
- Health Services: x3402
- Bruce McDougal, Director of Safety: x3179
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