Support provided by:

Center for Biosecurity of UPMC

Oklahoma City Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Case Study

2001, Anthrax Letters Give New Meaning to "Handle with Care"

During the anthrax attacks of 2001, the routine activity of opening the mail became a source of worry for many Americans. In a U.S. poll conducted in November 2001, 24% of those surveyed reported that they were very worried or somewhat worried about contracting anthrax by opening the mail. Thirty-two percent reported handling the mail with precautions—including washing hands after handling mail, wearing gloves to open envelopes, or avoiding opening mail entirely.

Reference

Blendon RJ, Benson JM, DesRoches CM, et al. The impact of anthrax attacks on the American public. Medscape General Medicine 17 April 2002; 4(2). Accessed 30 July 2003.