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Wisconsin Postal Facility Receives Anthrax Detector
The main U.S. postal facility in Green Bay, Wis., has installed a biohazard detection system that can detect biological agents in mail, WBAY reported yesterday (see GSN, May 11). The system in Green Bay is the fourth in Wisconsin. “The postal service is a vital, national infrastructure component. Without the postal service, a lot of things would occur that would not be good for the economy,” said Jeff Huntley of the U.S. Postal Service's emergency management office (WBAY, June 8). Meanwhile, Postal Service officials are considering whether to approve a Snohomish, Wash. plan to treat postal workers after anthrax exposure, the Seattle Times reported today. Snohomish health officials last month declined to take part in a Postal Service emergency response plan in which workers automatically receive countermeasures after a suspected attack because of liability issues. These officials were concerned that an employee would be harmed by taking the drugs. Officials have proposed that the Snohomish health department provide a letter to the physicians of post office employees explaining the need for the countermeasures in the event of an attack. Prescriptions for the countermeasure would be kept at the postal facility and filled by a doctor if an attack occurs. “These employees are better served if screened by their private physicians,” said Snohomish health director Ward Hinds. “A personal physician already knows a patient’s medical history.” “We know the Snohomish Health District is trying to find a workable solution,” said postal service emergency preparedness official Pat Evans. “We've never dealt with these issues before, so we're hoping they can come up with something soon.” John Erickson, Washington’s director of public health, emergency preparedness and response, said state officials are currently working to put response plans in place. “This is something we need to do as part of our emergency planning in general,” said Erickson. “It makes sense to do it now” (Christopher Schwarzen, Seattle Times, June 8).
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