Email: I attended a seminar presented by the Dodge Chemical Company. Dodge is one of two leading producers of embalming fluid and supplies. One of the things that were discussed during the seminar was on anthrax. What follows (first) is what was given to us in our packet of information. The second segments is from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science regarding anthrax cases.

1. CDC Guidelines for State Health Departments
Revised October 14, 2001

I. Advise to the Public:

How to handle anthrax and other biological agent threats:

Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances. The purpose of these guidelines is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents.

1. Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do so, the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. [Cipro is a very strong antibiotic, and is not necessarily the choice antibiotic to use. Something less powerful will do just as well, such as penicillin.] Anthrax is not spread from one person to another person.

2. for anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do, and requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.

1. Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelop or package; DO NOT try to clean up powders or fluids...
2. PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
3. If you do not have a container, the COVER the envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover.
4. The LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
5. WASH your hands with SOAP AND WATER to prevent spreading any powder to your face or skin.
6. What to do next.. If you are at HOME, the report the incident to local police. If you are at WORK, then report the incident to local police AND notify your building security official or an available supervisor.
7. If possible, LIST all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and advice.
8. Remove heavily contaminated clothing and place in a plastic bag that can be sealed; give the bage to law enforcement personnel.
9. Shower with soap and water as soon as possible. do not use bleach or disinfectant on your skin.

PITTSBURGH INSTITUTE OF MORTUARY SCIENCE STATED THAT

NO REMAINS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR EMBALMING IF

CONTAMINATED WITH ANTHRAX

 

2. From the president of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (Gene Ogrodnik):

Embalmers and funeral drectors are continually faced with new challenges with regard to their professional responsibilities with the consuming public. As new diseases continue to develop and current microorganisms continue to change relative to their environments we are continually challenged on how to appropriately prepare the remains of those that fall victim to new diseases or new strains of current ones.

With the recent developments related to death caused by anthrax,it has not been determined how to appropriately handle these cases. No governmental agency has issued a statement or protocol relative to post-death activities for the professional embalmer.

Please be advised that it is currently the position of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Inc. that no remains will be accepted for preparation when a relationship to anthrax has been determined.

This policy shall remain in effect until further advisement is received from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Licensed embalmers and funeral directors and students alike are encouraged to keep abreast of technical information relative to this issue.

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Thanks for your time and God bless!
~~Traci (student)