King: Mainers should not panic Governor lays out emergency protocol

AUGUSTA – With the nation on alert for anthrax attacks, more than 60 suspicious packages have been reported in Maine and some of them appear to be hoaxes, a state health official said Tuesday.

So far, none of the packages that have been analyzed have tested positive for anthrax or any other chemical or biological agent.

Gov. Angus King and his top health and public safety officials said a system for dealing with bioterrorism threats is up and running in Maine.

“We need to be vigilant,” the governor said. “On the other hand, we don’t want to panic. Because if we do, we’re giving into fear, and that is really the essence of what these folks are trying to accomplish.”

So far, that’s the biggest response among Mainers.

“There’s an enormous amount of fear and anxiety,” said state health director Dora Anne Mills.

The Department of Human Services, which includes the health lab, is working closely with the Maine State Police and emergency management agencies to share information, coordinate responses and anticipate risks of bioterrorism.

The state had processed 50 reports of suspicious packages up to Tuesday, when 14 more reports came in, officials said. Not all of the packages have been analyzed yet.

Mills said several of the packages contained corn starch, baking soda, flour and gypsum board dust. Mills said some of the pieces appeared to be doctored with substances, presumably to create fear.

“That is a crime. This is no joke,” said King. “It is a very irresponsible and illegal act.”

Mainers who see suspicious packages should stop handling it, put it in a container or place a wastebasket over it, exit the area, wash hands and call 911.

Suspicious letters or packages may have dust, stains or residues, an unusual odor, no return address, an unusual shape or weight, be marked “personal” or confidential” and have a postmark that doesn’t match the return address.

Mills, a physician who has worked in eastern Africa where anthrax is common, said anthrax is not contagious, is treatable especially if caught early, and is difficult to contract through the skin unless there’s an open sore. Spores also do not escape easily into the air from an envelope, she said.

Mills said the state health bureau has been receiving many calls from doctors in emergency rooms as well as personal visits from people asking to be tested.

The state is following the advice of the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recommending nasal swab tests only to people who have been exposed to a package that’s tested positive for anthrax.

“At this point in time, no one in the state of Maine has fit that criteria,” Mills said.

The state is providing additional information on its Web site.