Security of the Mail
- Suspicious Mail Alert

February 2004

To date, Health Canada reports that there are no cases of Canadians being infected by anthrax. Postal Officials and postal workers remain vigilant and will promptly report suspicious packages, envelopes or activities urgently to local authorities for action.

We urge everyone to exercise common sense at all times. Do not open a letter or parcel sent to you if it is not something you would normally expect or if there is something unusual about it. Isolate the item, wash your hands carefully and seek medical attention if you feel concerned. Alert police immediately and allow the proper authorities to investigate. Do not return the item to Canada Post.

For our customers:
1. View as larger image (.gif file)
2. Download poster (.pdf file)

Canada Post - Dangerous and Hazardous Goods in the mail

The security of the mail and the safety of its employees and customers are of paramount importance to Canada Post. We are always on the alert for dangerous or hazardous goods in the mail.

Canada Post delivers an average of 37 million pieces of mail to over 13 million addresses in Canada each working day. To date, no cases of Anthrax or similar biohazards have been identified in Canada.

All postal employees, contractors, and partners have been provided with corporate procedures and information to assist them in the identification and handling of suspicious items. Items identified as suspicious are isolated until determined safe with the assistance of local authorities. Access to personal protective equipment (gloves/masks) is available to all employees and contractors upon request.

In all cases, our employees and contractors react responsibly and remain vigilant in ensuring operations return to normal as soon as possible with minimal disruption in service to all Canadians, while maintaining the security and integrity of the mail.

Our Customer Call Centres and our Sales force are also equipped to answer any questions consumers may have and provide any assistance our customers may require.

Questions and Answers on Anthrax and the Mail

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is a disease that occurs naturally in humans who have come into contact with infected animals. The disease is caused by an infectious bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. In order for serious infection to occur, the bacteria must be aerosolized and inhaled. Skin contact will generally result in localized lesions that are more easily diagnosed and treated. While the disease can be fatal, if treated early it can usually be cured.

How likely is it to be found in the mail?

Experts generally agree that the manufacture of anthrax would require advanced biotechnology that is beyond the capability of individuals and most terrorist organizations. Canada would in all likelihood not be the first target of bio-terrorist activities. Should an item be sent through the mail, the contents would have to be released to cause infection.

What the experts say:

Even if rare anthrax spores were received in a letter or package, the person would not necessarily become ill, said Dr. David Weber, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina's Chapel Hill schools of public health and medicine.

For one thing, the anthrax particles must be the right size to become airborne and lodge in the lungs, instead of being breathed out. Thousands of them would have to be inhaled to infect the victim.

What should I look for?

The micro-organism cannot be seen or detected other than by laboratory analysis. There is no odour or visible characteristics that would allow us to identify this product. Existing suspicious items procedures must be followed.

What may constitute a suspicious letter or parcel?

A combination of the following may constitute a suspicious mail item:

• Suspicious items may be addressed to specific individuals and could bear restricted endorsements such as "PERSONAL", "PRIVATE", "TO BE OPENED ONLY BY", etc.;
• Addressee's name/title may be inaccurate;
• No return address or the return address may be fictitious, from a foreign country and/or even indecipherable;
• Suspicious items may display distorted handwriting or the name and address may be prepared with home-made labels or cut-and-paste lettering;
• Suspicious items may have protruding wires, aluminum foil, oil, or grease stains on the wrapping and can emit a peculiar odour;
• Cancellation or postmark may indicate a different location than the return address or that the item was mailed from a foreign country;
• Excessive amounts of postage using low denominations;
• Excessive binding, taping and tying material;
• Unprofessionally wrapped with several combinations of tape used to secure the package and may have special endorsements: "Fragile - Handle with Care", "Rush - Do Not Delay" or "Special Delivery";
• Letters may feel rigid or appear uneven or lopsided;
• Parcels may have an irregular shape with soft spots or bulges;
• Parcels may have a buzzing or ticking noise or a sloshing sound;
• Parcels or letters may have a powdery substance observed on the exterior of item.

Remember to look for these indicators:

• Powdery substance visible on exterior
• No return address
• Restrictive markings
• Mailed from foreign country
• Excessive postage
• Misspelled words
• Addressed to title only
• Rigid or bulky
• Badly typed or written
• Strange odour
• Protruding wires
• Excessive Wrapping
• Oily stains on wrapping
• Lopsided

What to do when in possession of a suspicious letter or parcel

• Immediately advise local authority of the situation at hand
• Do not return the article to Canada Post
• Do not handle, shake or smell the suspicious article
• Isolate the article, and evacuate the immediate vicinity
• Anyone who has handled the article should immediately wash their hands with soap and water