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17/10/2001
Powder sent through post sparks anthrax alerts
Packages containing white powder have sparked emergency clear-up operations in Belfast and Londonderry amid fears that they may contain anthrax.
On Wednesday morning, hundreds of staff were evacuated from the Civic Offices in Londonderry’s Strand Road when staff reported opening a letter containing a white powder. In all six staff who may have handled the letter were later taken to hospital after the scene had been sealed off by health officials. Before they were allowed to leave the scene the Fire Brigade, as a routine procedure, decontaminated the six staff by hosing them down.
Later on Wednesday afternoon the office of an American-owned company, Raython, were cleared when a package containing a white substance was discovered.
The main postal sorting office in Tomb Street was also evacuated when suspect packages containing a white powder were discovered.
On Tuesday, Margaret Kelly and her two-year-old grandson were treated with antibiotics after a card containing a white powder was sent to her home in the Falls Road area.
Emergency services called to the scene decided to strip and hose down the woman and the child in the back yard of the house. Mrs Kelly described how she had tried to remain calm as she and her terrified grandson were left shivering in a blanket before an ambulance eventually took them to a hospital.
A number of people in the province have been treated with antibiotics as a precautionary measure. Results of tests on the powder will not be known until Thursday or Friday.
A Fire Brigade spokesperson said that the situations had been handled as part of standard operating procedures in place for dealing with hazardous chemicals or other agents that had contaminated the skin. He said that these procedures were “tried and tested”.
Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer confirmed that the procedures were part of emergency plans to deal with the use of biological weapons that had been in place since the Gulf War.
She warned that anyone receiving a suspicious package in the post should not open it and report it to the police.
There have been a number of false alarms in the UK following the death of one man in the US from anthrax.
It is believed that the US outbreak of anthrax may be linked to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US. (SP)
On Wednesday morning, hundreds of staff were evacuated from the Civic Offices in Londonderry’s Strand Road when staff reported opening a letter containing a white powder. In all six staff who may have handled the letter were later taken to hospital after the scene had been sealed off by health officials. Before they were allowed to leave the scene the Fire Brigade, as a routine procedure, decontaminated the six staff by hosing them down.
Later on Wednesday afternoon the office of an American-owned company, Raython, were cleared when a package containing a white substance was discovered.
The main postal sorting office in Tomb Street was also evacuated when suspect packages containing a white powder were discovered.
On Tuesday, Margaret Kelly and her two-year-old grandson were treated with antibiotics after a card containing a white powder was sent to her home in the Falls Road area.
Emergency services called to the scene decided to strip and hose down the woman and the child in the back yard of the house. Mrs Kelly described how she had tried to remain calm as she and her terrified grandson were left shivering in a blanket before an ambulance eventually took them to a hospital.
A number of people in the province have been treated with antibiotics as a precautionary measure. Results of tests on the powder will not be known until Thursday or Friday.
A Fire Brigade spokesperson said that the situations had been handled as part of standard operating procedures in place for dealing with hazardous chemicals or other agents that had contaminated the skin. He said that these procedures were “tried and tested”.
Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer confirmed that the procedures were part of emergency plans to deal with the use of biological weapons that had been in place since the Gulf War.
She warned that anyone receiving a suspicious package in the post should not open it and report it to the police.
There have been a number of false alarms in the UK following the death of one man in the US from anthrax.
It is believed that the US outbreak of anthrax may be linked to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US. (SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
