U.S. Postal Service: Better Guidance Is Needed to Ensure an Appropriate Response to Anthrax Contamination
Abstract
In September and October 2001, at least four letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to news media personnel and two U.S. Senators, leading to the first cases of bioterrorism-related anthrax in the United States. The contaminated letters, which were delivered through the U.S. mail system, caused 22 cases of anthrax, 5 of them fatal. Nine postal employees associated with two postal facilities that processed the letters -- Trenton in New Jersey and Brentwood in Washington, D.C. -- contracted anthrax and two Brentwood employees died. The U.S. Postal Service closed Trenton and Brentwood, but other contaminated postal facilities remained open. GAO's review covers Trenton, Brentwood, and three of these other facilities. As requested, this report describes the following: (1) the factors considered in deciding whether to close the five facilities, (2) the information communicated to postal employees about health risks and the extent of the facilities' contamination, and (3) how lessons learned from the response to the contamination could be used in future situations. GAO is making recommendations to help ensure that the Postal Service has comprehensive, clear, accurate, and up-to-date guidance for any future anthrax response. The Postal Service indicated that it had taken or would take action on GAO's recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA435997
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office