As a precaution against the possible influx of anthrax infected mail, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPO) has furnished all staff attached to the Mail Processing Department with protective gear.

Assistant Post Master General of Operations, June Emptage-Morgan, told Stabroek News yesterday that the United States Postal Inspection Service issued a `Suspicious Mail Alert advisory' last week, detailing the necessary procedure to be heeded should the corporation discover any questionable package or mail.

She said that immediately after receiving the advisory, GPO embarked on safeguarding its personnel by providing the required sanitary gloves and masks.

A copy of the advisory shown to this newspaper indicated three steps to be followed in the event of suspicious mails/packages being discovered. The mail handlers are advised to:

- Handle with care. Don't shake or bump.

- Don't open, smell, touch or taste.

- Isolate it immediately.

- Treat it as suspect. Call local law enforcement authorities.

It further advised that in the case of an open letter or a threat being identified, the following guidelines should be adhered to:

For a biological chemical

- Isolate, don't handle.

- Evacuate Immediate area.

- Wash your hands with soap and warm water.

- Call the police and the local fire department.

- Contact the postal inspectors.

"We were also instructed to place any mail/package appearing to be suspicious in a ziploc bag and call in the medical personnel," Emptage-Morgan explained.

Earlier, Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had informed the media that at present, Guyana was not at risk of being affected by anthrax. But should this occur, the health sector was adequately equipped to deal with it.