Anthrax: What then is a suspicious letter?

by John Kamya Terrorism is not a new phenomenon in Uganda. Ugandans have been victims of terrorism through home-made bombs planted in bars, buses and taxi parks in the recent past. After the September 11 attacks on the the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, the US is under attack from a new trend of terrorism. The terrorists are now using biological substances that cause deadly diseases. One of such substances is bacteria that causes a disease called Anthrax. White substances that have tested positive with anthrax have been detectated in the U.S, Kenya and Argentina. There is therefore, need for us to understand this terrorist weapon and how to avoid it, before we also fall victim. But before we discuss the precautionary measures, we need to understand what anthrax is. According to the World Health Organisation, anthrax is a disease caused by a bacterium called bacillus anthracis. It is a disease which has existed for hundreds of years and which still occurs naturally in both animals and humans in many parts of the world, including Asia, southern Europe, sub-Sahara Africa and parts of Australia. Anthrax bacteria can survive in the environment by forming spores. In its most natural form, it creates dark sores on the skin, from which it derives its name. anthrax is greek word for coal. The three types of anthrax are: l Cutaneous or skin anthrax which is the most common type. Doctors say it is commonly contracted when a person with a broken or abrased skin comes into direct contact with anthrax spores. l Gastrointestinal anthrax is caught from eating meat from an infected animal. l Inhalation or pulmonary anthrax is the most severe form of human Anthrax. It is caused when a person is directly exposed to a large number of anthrax spores suspended in the air. This is the type that is causing most concern in the world today. Terrorists have resorted to producing the anthrax bacteria in controlled laboratories and send it to their victims, mixed in powdery substances . The modus operandi of the terrorists to spread the bacteria is through the postage systems in letters, parcels and packages addressed to their intended victims. On opening the parcel, the powder touches the skin or is inhaled through the mouth or nose, possibly causing infection. It can also be spread through the air conditioning system, if terrorists get access to it. Here, once the powder is stuffed in the system, the fans circulate it, and causes the victims to inhale the contaminated air. The good news is that anthrax is a preventable and curable disease, if detected early. Inhaled anthrax cannot be transmitted from one person to another person. However, doctors say there is a small risk of person to person transmission of cutaneous Anthrax. We need to be cautious when opening mail from unknown addresses, since it has been widely publicised that anthrax is being disseminated through the postage system. Bacteria that cause anthrax can also be packed/ filled in bombs and missiles war heads and fired by rocket launchers to desired destinations. When such bombs explode, the bacteria spreads and inffects people with anthrax. There are reports that Iraq has an arsenal of such weapons. What then is a suspicious letter or parcel. There is no general description of a suspicious letter or parcel but some of the characteristics of such a parcel include those which:- l Have any powdery substance on the outside. l Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you. lHave excessive postage, hand written or poorly typed address, incorrect titles or titles with no or misspelling of common words. lAre addressed to some one no longer at your work place or home or otherwise outdated. lHave no return address or have one that cannot be verified as legitimate. lAre of unusual weight, given their size or are lopsided or oddly shaped. lHave an unusual amount of tape. lAre marked with restrictive endorsements such as ‘personal’ or ‘confidential.’ l Have strange odours or stains. In case you receive an anthrax threat by mail: lDo not handle the mail or package suspected of contamination. lMake sure that damaged or suspicious packages are isolated and the immediate area cordoned off. lEnsure that all persons who have touched the mail parcel wash their hands with soap and water immediately. lInform authorities at once. A joint task force of health and security officials has been formed in Uganda, to deal with any Anthrax threat, ring 077-507799, 077-423932 and 071-745019 or call the police or any other authority. lBe sure to list all persons who have touched the letter/parcel. lIsolate clothes won when in contact with the parcel and keep them in a plastic bag and have them availed to authorities. lIts better that a suspicious parcel is just not opened. The risk of exposure is greatest after such a letter is opened. Our alertness will save us from this scare. For more information on anthrax, visit World Health Organisation website www.who.int/enc/faqanthrax.html ends