Anthrax General Information

The tragedy of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent use of Anthrax as a biological weapon has many Americans concerned about bioterrorism. Counties across New York State are responding to the challenge and Genesee County is no exception. Genesee County has developed a system that effectively responds to the concerns of our residents.

So, what should you do if you receive a suspicious letter or package?

An officer will take your call and determine whether a threat exists based upon established criteria. If there is no threat, then no action is taken.

If the officer feels that a further evaluation is needed, an officer will be dispatched to the scene. The officer at the scene will do an on-site assessment. If there is no cause for concern, then no further action is taken.

If the officer feels that additional evaluation is needed, the county's assessment response team will be notified. This team consists of law enforcement, emergency management and health department personnel. This team responds to the scene for a more detailed evaluation.

If a determination is made that no threat exists, no action is taken.

If the threat is credible, an Emergency Support Unit is dispatched to the scene; samples are collected and submitted for testing.

You will be notified of the test results as soon as they are available (usually less than 48 hours).

You will receive a self-monitoring health assessment guide. If you experience symptoms listed in the guide, call your physician for assistance.

For general information, between the hours of 8:30-5:00 PM, call the numbers listed below: