BARNARD
HEALTH SERVICES SEPTEMBER 11 FREQUENTLY RAISED
ISSUES
Student
Seeks Advice on Questionable Substance -- Follow-Up
On
October 14, 2001, late in the evening a Barnard
student noticed a few grains of a whitish substance
that fell from her new Time magazine.
There were 4-6 of them, described as salt or
crystal-like, not powdery. In view of the recent
anthrax exposure incidents in NY, the student
appropriately asked for advice from Security,
who also contacted the Health Service.
Appropriate
procedures were followed promptly. Although
the amount and description of the grains made
anthrax very unlikely, the room was closed,
the student and those close to her washed their
hands, and the Office of Emergency Management
was contacted through the 26th precinct. (This
is the reporting process established by the
Department of Health for any suspicious substances,
mail, etc.).
Trained
investigators arrived promptly and briefly sealed
the residence hall until they could investigate
the substance and scene. They do NOT believe
the substance was anthrax, and the room was
re-opened. As a purely precautionary measure,
as well as to help investigating officers distinguish
and pursue hoax incidents as well as those seeking
to harm others directly, the material was sent
to the public health laboratory for analysis.
We expect those results within the next week.
Any suspicious findings/tests will be reported
IMMEDIATELY from the public health laboratory,
and promptly disseminated. Final test results
will be posted as soon as they are received.
The
likelihood of risk from this incident to anyone
on campus is minimal to non-existent. NO ANTIBIOTICS
are recommended, and, in fact, are contraindicated.
Should the material prove harmful (extremely
unlikely), only those on the 5th floor of Sulzberger
at the time the substance was identified would
be considered at any risk (eg, requiring testing,
and if exposure were documented, antibiotics).
Our
previous memo (below) provides links both to
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (www.cdc.gov,
Click on Public Health Preparedness) and the
New York City Department of Health (www.nyc.gov/health).
Press releases and other postings provide continually
updated information on incidents and recommendations.
For information on handling suspicious packages
or mail, you may use this link to the posting
on the CDC website: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/DocumentsApp/Anthrax/10122001H
For
any further information or questions, please
call Barnard Health Services at 212-854-2091
or email Dr. Polly Wheat, Director (pwheat@barnard.edu).
BACKGROUND
The
September 11th terrorist attack in New York
City and Washington, and our country's military
response, has introduced an anxiety about safety
and security within the United States that is
a new and unsettling experience for most of
us. Such a reaction is, of course, normal, but
our behavior can still be based on a rational
examination of potential dangers in the future,
and what preparations, if any, may be useful.
We
want you to know that the Barnard Health Services
is in ongoing contact with the New York City
Department of Health regarding the latest public
health advisories and recommendations. We are
also providing links to several excellent websites
that can offer more detailed, official information,
updated frequently.
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