Public Health Preparedness
Bioterrorism FAQs
What is bioterrorism?
Bioterrorism is the intentional use of infectious biological agents, or germs, to cause illness. What should I do if a dangerous chemical agent were released in Harris County?
In the event of a bioterrorist attack in our area, emergency management teams would respond accordingly. What should I do if I receive a letter in the mail with powder in it?
If you receive a suspicious letter or package, remember the following: 1. Do not shake or empty the contents of the package or envelope.
2. Do not carry the letter or package to another place for others to examine it.
3. Put the envelope or package on a stable surface; do not sniff, touch taste, or look closely at it or at any contents which may have spilled.
4. Close any doors to the area where the envelope or package is located and alert others to stay away.
5. Wash hands with soap and water to prevent spreading potentially infectious material to face or skin.
6. If at work, tell your supervisor or a security officer. If at home, call local law enforcement.
7. If possible, create a list of persons who were in the room or area when the suspicious letter or package was recognized and a list of persons who also may have handled the letter or package. Give this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials. Back to top What kind of mail should be considered suspicious?
Some characteristics of suspicious packages and envelopes include the following:
Inappropriate or unusual labeling, such as:
-Excessive postage
-Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
-Misspellings of common words
-Strange return address or no return address
-Incorrect titles or title without a name
-Not addressed to a specific person
-Marked with restrictions, such as "Personal," "Confidential," or "Do not x-ray"
-Marked with any kind of threatening language
-Postmarked from a city or state that does not match the return address
Appearance
-Powdery substance felt through or appearing on the package or envelope
-Oily stains, discolorations, or odor
-Lopsided or uneven envelope
-Excessive packaging material such as masking tape, string, etc.
Other suspicious signs
-Excessive weight
-Ticking sound
-Protruding wires or aluminum foil
Should I buy a gas mask to protect my family and myself?
Gas masks are intended for short-term use and would only provide protection if worn at the time of a release. Unless a mask was worn all the time, it would not protect you against a surprise release. Masks also must fit properly. Improper use of a gas mask can cause serious injury or even death by suffocation, especially in persons who have heart or lung disease. Back to top Should I stockpile antibiotics to protect myself and my family against bioterrorism?
HCPHES strongly discourages stockpiling antibiotics. Remember, no single pill is effective on all diseases. In fact, taking antibiotics incorrectly may cause them to become less effective on certain diseases. Also, keep in mind that drugs expire after a certain amount of time. What reaction(s) might one expect from a smallpox vaccination?
The graphic below depicts a typical vaccine reaction and progression following a primary smallpox vaccination or revaccination after a prolonged period between vaccinations.  Is the city's water supply safe from bioterrorism?
City water supplies are unlikely targets for several reasons. First, huge amounts of water are used for industrial and other purposes. Second, due to the size of a city's water supply, anything put into it would be greatly diluted. And finally, the filters and chlorine used to protect our water would make it very hard to cause widespread illness. What is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doing to protect the food supply against terrorism?
FDA works with international, federal, state and local food safety agencies to strengthen the food safety system. This effort provides better prevention programs, new surveillance systems, and faster responses to food-borne illness outbreaks. Back to top What can consumers do to protect themselves and their families from food tampering or other kinds of food contamination?
You are the final judge of the safety of the food you buy. The most important is to check whether the food package or can is intact before opening it. Damaged, dented, or opened packages should not be used You also need beware of strange odors, tastes and appearances of a food item. If you haveany doubt about its safety, don't eat it. If the food appears to have been tampered with, report it to your local health department. How can I recognize a bioterrorism hoax?
If you are not sure whether a bioterrorism report is true or just a hoax, check with credible sources.
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Last updated: July 28, 2008
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services
2223 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
Tel: (713) 439-6000
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