Businesses shaken after anthrax mail scare

MATTHEW MARTIN | 14th December 2007

STAFF from Rotorua businesses sharing a building in Scion's grounds were in disbelief following an anthrax scare that put emergency services on full alert.

White powder found in mail at the premises of PF Olsen Ltd on Sala St yesterday sparked the second anthrax scare in the North Island this week.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease that is found mainly in animals. In the past it has been used as a biological weapon as it can be lethal to humans.

An envelope containing a white powder was sent to a Television New Zealand office in Auckland on Monday.

Yesterday an envelope containing white powder was delivered to PF Olsen, a forestry consultancy company, at its new premises next to Scion at about 11am.

The envelope, addressed to computer company Integral Ltd which shares the building, was taken by PF Olsen staff from a central mail office to Integral Ltd during the morning mail round. It was opened by an Integral Ltd staff member who discovered the powder and immediately called the police.

PF Olsen Ltd director and marketing manager Peter Weblin said police told staff that they were not allowed back into the building until the all clear had been given. Staff were sent home for the day once emergency services had finished decontamination procedures.

"We are all in a state of disbelief that it was happening to us," Mr Weblin said.

"It does seem unlikely that it will be anthrax but we have to be cautious and follow the police's instructions."

Representatives of Integral Ltd could not be contacted for comment.

Senior Sergeant Ed Van de Broek of the Rotorua police said the building was evacuated and the area cordoned off. Seven people including police, fire service and staff from the building had to go through a decontamination process before being allowed to leave. No one required medical treatment.

The package was taken away by Department of Labour staff for testing and the results were due back today.

On Monday envelopes containing white powder and a note saying "anthrax" were sent to the offices of Greenstone Productions and TVNZ. About 40 people were evacuated from Greenstone, but staff said it was more procedural than out of concern for safety.

A receptionist was opening the mail at the Dominion Rd offices at 9am when she discovered the envelope, which had a return address on the back.

On July 19 there was an anthrax scare at Turangi's Post Shop where a white powder fell from an envelope. Volunteer fire crews evacuated the shop and three staff went through decontamination. Testing by ESR scientists confirmed the powder was not anthrax.

In the United States in 2001, letters laden with anthrax spores, that look like white powder, were sent through the post and killed five people, infecting a further 17. Anthrax spores - like those sent in the US - are one of the more lethal forms of anthrax as symptoms take several days to appear which can delay treatment.