Environmental testing of Georgetown’s mail processing centers in Alexandria, Va., and at the Law Center have revealed no anthrax contamination. As a result, the 35 mailroom employees who were taking antibiotics used to treat anthrax have discontinued treatment.
The mailroom employees began taking a generic form of Cipro upon learning that mail containing anthrax had passed through the Brentwood mail distribution center.
Mail delivered to the University Main Campus and Law Center is forwarded from mail center at Brentwood to the Friendship Heights post office, where it is picked up by Georgetown postal employees.
In a letter from University President John J. DeGioia to the Georgetown community, DeGioia said Georgetown is in daily contact with local and federal health officials and the U.S. Postal Service officials.
“We are committed to working proactively to protect our community and to ensure that we are prepared to implement any health or security directives that we might receive,” DeGioia said.
According to Georgetown University Hospital Spokesman Jim Welsh, the University mailroom did not shut down during the anthrax testing. However, campus mail was slowed while the Brentwood and Friendship Heights mail facilities were closed. Welsh said the U.S. Postal Service has rerouted Georgetown mail.
Steven Hockensmith, director of print and mail services, said Georgetown’s mail employees were concerned, but are more at ease now.
The mailroom employees have been trained on how to be more alert to suspicious packages and now wear rubber gloves when handling mail.
