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Bioterrorism Screening/Response
The following guidelines are offered to help you reduce the possibility
of exposure to any terrorist threat that may be posed by mail processing.
Any situation that meets the criteria listed below should be reported to
Public Safety at 831-2222 in Newark and Wilmington, and 645-4333 in
Southern Delaware. Tell them the manner of the threat and the specifics
about what is happening and give them your exact location so they can find
you.
Suspicious unopened letter or letter that appears empty
Place envelope in a plastic ziplock bag or glassine envelope. Do not
squeeze air out of envelope or bag.
Keep others away.
Wash hands and exposed skin (arms) with SOAP and WATER.
NOTIFY your supervisor, and University Police as listed above.
Examples of criteria that would raise suspicion:.
Missing or unfamiliar return address
Excessive postage
Addressed to title (Ms. or Mr.) but no name
Misspelling of common words
Point of origin is a foreign country
Strange odor and/or stains or discoloration
Excessive securing material such as masking tape or string
Restrictive markings such as "personal" or "confidential"
Envelope with powder and powder spills out onto surface
DO NOT clean powder up. Keep others away.
WASH hands and exposed skin (arms) with SOAP and WATER.
DO NOT brush off your clothes.
NOTIFY your supervisor and University Police as listed above.
Await further instruction from emergency response personnel.
Package marked with threatening message such as "Anthrax" or
"Ricin".
DO NOT OPEN.
LEAVE it and EVACUATE the room.
KEEP others from entering.
NOTIFY your supervisor, and University Police as listed above.
Aerosolization, small explosion, or letter stating a threat to
the building occupants.
LEAVE room immediately. SECURE entry.
NOTIFY your supervisor, and University Police as listed above.
They will arrange with Facilities to shut down air handlers remotely if
deemed necessary.
REMAIN on premises until responders arrive.
MAKE list of all people (names, addresses and phone numbers) who
were in the building at the time and give to Public Safety.
Modified from South Dakota Public Health 8/3/01
IF YOU ARE SUSPICIOUS OF A MAILING AND ARE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE
CONTENTS WITH THE ADDRESSEE OR SENDER: DO NOT OPEN.
Isolate the mailing and evacuate the immediate area.
Do not put it in water or a confined space such as a desk drawer
or filing cabinet.
If possible, open windows in the immediate area to assist in
venting potential explosive gases.
If you have any reason to believe a letter or package is
suspicious, do not take a chance or worry about possible embarrassment if
the item turns out to be innocent-instead, contact Public Safety at 911
in Newark, 831-2222 in Wilmington and 645-4333 in Southern Delaware for
professional assistance.
Modified from USPS Notice 71 - Bombs by Mail Notice 71,
February 1998
Questions
regarding guidelines to opening mail should be addressed to Joseph Miller
at jamiller@udel.edu or extension 6566. You may also contact
Krista Murray at
klmurray@udel.edu or
extension 1433.
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