Jackson Hole News 10-17-01
Anthrax in Jackson Hole?
Hannah Stone
10/17/01, JHLocal.com
Could it be that someone in Jackson has been the target of bioterrorism? The
Jackson Police Department is taking that possibility very seriously as a woman
and her boyfriend were tested for anthrax exposure on Monday.
In the event more suspicious mail is received by anyone in Teton County, the
police have prepared the following information.
POLICE REPORT SUSPICIOUS MAIL AND OFFER PREVENTATIVE INFORMATION
The Jackson Police Department reports an investigation is currently ongoing relating to the receipt of a suspicious piece of mail on Monday, October 15, 2001.
According to the JPD, a local woman received a package at the post office and opened it at her business containing brochures and an unknown powder; she did get some of the substance on her hands. She drove home and showed it to her boyfriend. Later, the couple went to St. John's Medical Center for tests.
The package was recovered by police, and with the cooperation of the Division of Criminal Investigation, hand delivered to the state laboratory. Preliminary results from the tests on the couple and the package will be made available sometime on Wednesday, October 17.
The JPD is asking citizens to be on alert and sensitive to unusual or unexpected packages, but to not panic or act irresponsibly. Anthrax has been described as a "bug without legs," meaning it is not a threat if it is left alone. The Department highly encourages citizens to contact them immediately if they question a package they receive.
"There is no reason to believe that Jackson is a target of a biological attack," stated interim Police Chief Peggy Parker. "Local law enforcement and emergency response personnel have established a protocol for incidents, and that protocol was followed in this case. We are well prepared for challenging circumstances that come our way."
The JPD stresses the importance of not panicking because of this case. Undoubtedly, people are keenly aware of national situation, and probably concerned on a local level. They again stress the preparedness of the separate health and safety agencies, and simply ask that people be more tuned into their surroundings.
People who have suspicious mail should not open it; they should contact local law enforcement. They should take precautions when opening mail, such as not shaking the envelopes or blowing into them to see the contents. If they suspect that they have been exposed to an unusual substance, they should immediately call 911 and follow the procedures given to them. It is important to not leave the room and if possible, shut the door.
Suspicious mail can be described to have some of the following characteristics:
- Have any powdery substance on the outside
- Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
- 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 on them
- Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
- Have strange odors or stains
- Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return address
- Have misspellings of common names or words
- Excessive postage
- Are addressed to a title only
- Incorrect title
- Have a Trenton, NJ postmark
In a further effort to be prepared for the unknown, the Town of Jackson has implemented effective immediately, a mail reception protocol. It is the intent of the Town to share this procedure with the community, should other organizations or businesses want to use it as a model. It is available on the Town's website.
The protocol is as follows:
- Town mail will be picked up at the post office and brought back to town hall for visual screening.
- Screening shall take place in an office capable of being sealed by closing its doors and windows.
- Prior to distributing the mail to its designated department, each piece of mail will be visually screened for signs of suspicion using the list of suspicious characteristics.
- Any mail thought to be suspicious will be placed into a red bio-hazard bag. These bags will be provided to each department. After placing the suspicious correspondence in the bag, immediately notify the police department. The police will respond, take custody of the suspicious mail, and follow their established protocol for handling the mail. Do not shake or open a suspicious letter or package.
- Screened mail will then be distributed to each department.
- The person receiving the mail for each department will again visually screen the mail for any signs of suspicion. Should their suspicion be aroused, the notification procedure listed above should be followed.
- Mail should only be opened using a letter opener. The opening motion should be away from your body.
- Should you receive suspicious packages via Federal Express, Fed Ex, or other shipping service, contact that agency and employ their tracking service in an attempt to verify its validity. If the package is still in question, call 911.
In the rare event that a letter or package is opened that contains a powdery, liquid, other unusual substance; or, contains written threats of biological exposure, the following will occur:
- Place the letter into a plastic bag, if possible, seal the bag.
- Do not remove the letter from the area it was opened.
- Do not share the letter with a friend or co-worker.
- If a powder or substance has spilled out of the letter, do not clean it up, but do cover it to prevent it from becoming airborne. Anything, paper, clothing, trash canister, etc. can be used for the cover.
- Do not rub your eyes, touch your nose or mouth
- Secure the room by closing the doors and windows.
- Call 911 and notify your supervisor.
- It will be the responsibility of the notified supervisor to cause the buildings air conditioning/filtration system to be shut down.
- Immediately wash your hands with soapy water.
- Make a list of all those who may have handled the envelope.
- Do not leave the office area unless advised to do so by the police.
As a preventative action, any employee exposed to potentially hazardous material will be provided with a medical evaluation and, should they desire antibiotic treatment. Treatment administered at this early stage has proven to be effective.
Again, the Town emphasizes that the Teton County Emergency Management, Jackson Police Department, St. John's Medical Center, the Teton County/ Jackson Fire Department, the Teton County Sheriff's Department, Project Impact, the Teton County Health Department, and other governmental agencies are prepared to react to unexpected events that occur in this community.
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