Bizarre new development after strange packages began turning up in letterboxes and residents were urged to be cautious
- Social media user posted someone ate the contents
- NSW Police and NSW Health have issued warnings
- READ MORE: Urgent warning issued to Aussies over packages being placed in letterboxes: Do not open
A social media user has posted an update about the mysterious packages that have been left in letterboxes across a major Australian city.
Earlier this week NSW Health issued a warning over strange 'gifts' being placed in Sydney letterboxes claiming to be from the department.
On Monday a Reddit user posted how their neighbour received one of the packages and had a reaction after eating the contents.
‘The neighbour is fine,’ the Reddit user wrote.
‘From what I've been told, it sounded like an allergic reaction.'
'Family gave her an antihistamine and (she) started feeling better, but still informed the police which kickstarted this event.’
The Reddit poster also received one of the packages and wrote how emergency services responded.
‘We are surrounded by police cars NSW trucks and HAZMAT.’
A Facebook user posted a photo of the contents of one of the mysterious packages that had been left in letterboxes across Sydney
NSW Health has urged anyone who receives a strange 'gift' in their letterbox not to open it and safely dispose of the package (pictured)
The user wrote they threw the package away immediately and one of the hazmat crew went through their rubbish and retrieved it.
They said the hazmat crew searched the storm drains along their street and were on the scene for about two hours.
The health department issued a warning on Monday, urging recipients to be cautious of the packages.
'NSW Health is aware that cards and packages have been placed in letterboxes in some homes in Sydney falsely claiming to be a "gift" and "remedial therapy" from NSW Health,' the department wrote on social media.
'We have reported this matter to NSW Police.
'We strongly advise anyone who has received such a package to safely dispose of it without opening it.'
NSW Health added the department would never leave gifts in people's letterboxes.
At a press conference on Tuesday, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the department would 'never communicate with people or patients in this way'.
'We won’t be putting gifts in a letter box for people, that’s not the way NSW Health does business,' Mr Park said.
The small packages wrapped in what appears to be gauze also included a small card featuring legitimate NSW Health phone numbers and emails.
One card had a small hand-written message that said: 'Compliments of Our Father.'
One recipient said they wore gloves when removing one of the packages from their letterbox due to concerns about its contents.
'I checked my video cameras,' she said.
CCTV footage from a home which received one of the packages shows a man in a dark navy jacket and a trolley (pictured) appearing to drop it in the resident's letterbox
'There's a man walking around with one of those trolleys you move large objects with, like a cupboard or drawers.'
CCTV footage showed a man in a dark navy jacket dragging a trolley and placing the package in her letterbox.
A neighbour said they had opened the 'gift' only to find a small cumquat.
Another person claimed to have found one of the weird packages in their letterbox on Monday.
The NSW Police Force issued a warning about the packages on social media on Tuesday.
'NSW Police are investigating after reports of packages being received in mailboxes falsely claiming to have been sent by NSW Health.
'The public is advised that if they receive an item of this nature, they should avoid handling the package and contact police immediately.
'Members of the public coming into contact with these items should wash their hands thoroughly.'
Daily Mail Australia contacted the NSW Police Force and NSW Health and was told there are no further updates.
NSW Police urge anyone with information to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on on 1800 333 000.
