Rapid City Regional Hospital - Organizational News

Suspicious Mail & What to Do about It

Indicators of suspicious mail

Some indicators of suspicious mail include, but are not limited to, the following:

Mailed from a foreign country

Excessive postage

Misspelled words

Addressed to title only

Wrong title with name

Rigid or bulky

Badly typed or hand written

Restrictive markings

No return address/or return address that does not match postmark

Strange odor

Lopsided/protruding item

Stains on wrapping

For suspect envelopes or packages:

Do not open, smell, or taste.

Do not shake or empty the contents.

Set package or envelope aside for review.

Notify law enforcement authorities.

For packages with identified/marked as threats, powder or suspicious content:

DO NOT PANIC - notify law enforcement authorities.

To preserve evidence, avoid additional handling.

Anthrax organisms can cause skin infection, gastrointestinal infection or pulmonary infection. To do so, the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled. It does not leap into one's body. All forms of anthrax are generally treatable with antibiotics.

Anthrax cannot be easily aerosolized out of an envelope or package containing powder. The same facts and conditions are generally true for other bacteria likely to be considered as biological weapons.

Package marked with threatening message such as "Anthrax."

Do not open.

Leave it and evacuate the area.

Keep others from entering the area.

Immediately notify law enforcement authorities.

Opened letter or letter that appears empty with a threatening message

Place envelope in a plastic Ziploc bag.

Keep others from entering the area.

Wash hands and exposed skin (arms) with soap and water.

Immediately notify law enforcement authorities.

Envelope with powder

Immediately notify law enforcement authorities.

Do not clean powder up. Keep others from entering the area.

Wash hands and exposed skin (arms) with soap and water

Do not brush off your clothes.

Remove clothing and place in a plastic bag, as soon as possible. Close bag and place in second plastic bag. Clearly label and identify contents, retain for law enforcement, as it may be evidence.

Shower with soap and water as soon as possible at home. Do not use bleach or other disinfectant.

Put on fresh clothing.

Make a list of all people (names, addresses and phone numbers) who had contact with the powder and give to local public health authorities. They may be instructed to watch for fever or other symptoms over the next couple of days.

What should I do if I receive an anthrax threat by mail?

Do not handle the mail piece or package suspected of contamination.

Notify law enforcement authorities.

Make sure that damaged or suspicious packages are isolated and the immediate area cordoned off.

Ensure that all persons who have touched the mail piece wash their hands with soap and water.

The Postal Inspectors will collect the mail, assess the threat situation and coordinate with the FBI.

List all persons who have touched the letter and/or envelope. Include contact information. Provide the list to the Inspection Service.

Place all items worn when in contact with the suspected mail piece in plastic bags and keep them wherever you change your clothes and have them available for law enforcement agents.

As soon as practical, shower with soap and water.

If prescribed medication by medical personnel, take it until otherwise instructed or it runs out.

Return to the Bioterrorism Information Page

John T. Vucurevich Cancer Care Institute

Inpatient Information Center

Outpatient Information Center

Visitor Information Center

Department Services

Medical Services

Support Services

John T. Vucurevich Cancer Care Institute

Family Medicine Residency Clinic