Australia 2001 and the white powders: the Queensland experience

Abstract

Starting in Canberra and spreading rapidly around the country from 12 October 2001 onwards, the laboratories of the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN) were placed on high alert as the nation responded to a heightened fear of anthrax mail attacks. This manifested itself in an incredible array of samples being submitted to laboratories for analysis and detection of possible anthrax contamination. Laboratory staff were placed under high stress in the performance of this work.