No case of anthrax has occurred among Johns Hopkins employees, and there is no reason to believe that Hopkins is being targeted or that delivery of a contaminated letter to Hopkins is likely.

As precautions, however, the university and Johns Hopkins Health System have recommended new procedures to protect those who handle significant amounts of mail.

In recent weeks, all mail room staff have been strongly advised to wear appropriate gloves and masks at all times while working. In addition, secretaries, administrative assistants and others who routinely handle mail as part of their jobs should consider wearing appropriate gloves.

Supervisors can obtain gloves from the supply store that serves your campus. Red bags for biohazard disposal should be used for the disposal of gloves in university buildings. Red bags are not needed in Johns Hopkins Hospital buildings, since all trash there is handled through biohazard disposal.

Step-by-step instructions for using, removing and disposing of gloves are posted at www.jhu.edu/news_info/news/911/preparedness/gloves.html.

A video with instructions for proper use and disposal of the gloves is available online at www.jhu.edu:8080/ramgen/news_info/media/gloves.rm.

Information on dealing with suspicious mail is available at www.jhu.edu/news_info/news/911/preparedness/mail1.html.