Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday January 21, 2014 at about 3.30pm, EMER-G-MED’s A08, RV07 as well as Tshwane Fire and Rescue, the South African Police Services K9 Unit and the South African National Defense Force were dispatched to reports of a mass casualty incident at SANRAL’s Samrand main operations centre in Midrand.
The EMER-G-MED units on scene requested additional resources and EMER-G-MED’s A02, A06, I01, RV3 and TM01 responded to the scene.
Emergency personnel arrived on scene to find that a full evacuation was underway due to a possible Anthrax contamination. Anthrax is a toxic white powder, containing the bacterium that causes severe respiratory distress and possibly even death.
It was later established that an anonymous person had sent a letter (containing the powder) addressed to the reception at SANRAL via the post the day prior to the scare. The letter was then opened in the HR department. Leaving a total of 37 people with possible direct Anthrax contamination.
A staging area including a specialist decontamination team and area was established and the Tshwane and Johannesburg rescue technicians as well as EMER-G-MED paramedics set to work.
The 37 “contaminated” patients went through a full quarantine and decontamination process, whereby they were showered down and scrubbed with a decontaminant agent as directed by the SANDF’s specialist division.
Once they had been “decontaminated” the persons were ushered into awaiting ambulances and transported to UNITAS hospital in Pretoria with the SAPS and K9 Law Enforcement escorting them through the peak hour traffic.
Once at hospital the patients were quarantined to a single ward, to prevent any cross contamination in the event that it was confirmed at Anthrax.
Paramedics and rescue technicians involved were also quarantined to a delivery area that had been closed to the public.
Fortunately after about 3 hours, just before 8pm, it was confirmed by the SANDF lab that it was not Anthrax, but was more likely baby powder. Emergency personnel were given the all clear to leave hospital grounds just before 8.30pm. The 37 patients were to be kept at hospital overnight for observations.
The South African Police Services as well as the South African National Defence Force were on scene to investigate where and who the hoax anthrax had been sent from. Officials said they will, when found; prosecute the currently unknown person to the full extent of the law.
