• Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) does not have expertise in safe mail handling. Our expertise is in minimising the transmission of infectious disease.
• CDCB suggests that callers use the fact sheet produced by the Attorney General's Department on the handling of mail and packages.
• It is important to remember that hazardous items sent in the mail may not be infectious
  (eg bombs, hazardous chemicals, radioactive material) and if they are potentially infectious, the infection might not be spread by inhaling the substance.
• Hence, the best protection for those opening the mail is to be highly vigilant and to follow safety procedures outlined in the Attorney General's Department fact sheet if a suspicious package is identified.
• With respect to protection from infectious agents only, the wearing of gloves and masks is not recommended for the following reasons:
  • Gloves. With regard to infectious substances present in the mail, the use of gloves will not give significant protection over and above that afforded by good basic hygiene practices (ie hands should be washed appropriately and all cuts should be covered with an occlusive water-proof dressing until healed). The use of gloves should not be regarded as risk-free. The prolonged and continuous use of latex gloves is associated with a significant risk for the development of latex allergy. Latex allergy is associated with contact dermatitis and rarely life-threatening anaphylaxis.
  • Masks. Most readily available surgical and dust masks are not designed to prevent the wearer from infection via the airborne route and cannot be recommended for this purpose. Masks or other respiratory protective devices designed for this purpose must be specially fitted and tested to ensure effectiveness. These masks are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and may make communication difficult. In view of the fact that no anthrax has been identified in mail in Australia to date, despite extensive testing of samples, it is felt that it is inappropriate that people handling mail wear masks at this time.
• These recommendations reflect the current situation. Should information regarding the risk of mail handling change then recommendations regarding safe mail handling will change also.

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