Outdoor Anthrax

In the department’s ongoing activities to bolster the nation’s preparedness for a potential outdoor anthrax attack the following actions have been taken.

• The first focuses on United States Postal Service letter carriers who volunteer to deliver medicines directly to residences in their communities during an emergency and allows eligible letter carriers to receive kits containing small quantities of antibiotics for future use by them and other members of their households during an anthrax emergency, while the
• Second, is a declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) that provides liability protection for activities related to developing, manufacturing, distributing, prescribing, dispensing, administering and using anthrax countermeasures in preparation for, and in response to, a potential anthrax attack. 

“Preparedness is a shared responsibility that must involve all sectors of society, including the private sector, community groups, families and individuals,” Secretary Leavitt said.  “We are using the authorities available to us to do all we can to support preparedness at all levels.”

• News Release
• Federal Register Notice
• Declaration of Emergency Pursuant To Section 564 Of The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3(b)
• FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization to Protect Postal Workers to help protect postal workers from an anthrax attack

Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP) Act  Learn More >>