Bioterrorism: How Prepared Are We?

• NCJ Number: 189853
• Journal: Emerging Infectious Diseases Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2000 Pages: 1-4
• Author(s): Donna E. Shalala
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded August 9, 2001

Annotation

This article examines the threat of bioterrorism in the United States.

Abstract

The first challenge is to be aware that an act of bioterrorism could happen. The second challenge is to be prepared. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is spending $158 million to prepare for bioterrorism and the President has proposed increasing that investment by an additional $72 million in FY 2000. To increase the level of preparedness, the Anti-Bioterrorism Initiative is expanding its activities in a number of key areas: surveillance, medical and public health response, building a stockpile of drugs and supplies, and research and development. The public health surveillance network is being improved and strengthened by enhancing the capability to detect and report outbreaks, conduct epidemiologic investigations, perform laboratory tests to identify biological agents, and communicate necessary information and advisories rapidly through electronic technology. Medical and public health response capacity is being enhanced by the effort to develop infrastructure at the local level by establishing in major cities medical response teams to deal with the consequences of bioterrorism. The capacity to provide prophylaxis, medical care, and infection control on a massive scale is being expanded. An unprecedented stockpile of drugs and vaccines are being created and maintained for civilian use. Research and development of rapid diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines are being accelerated. The third challenge is for the public health and medical communities to take the lead in the fight against bioterrorism, with local “first responders,” such as police, firefighters, and paramedics, constituting the first line of defense. The preparedness of these professionals will determine the success of the response to attacks. The Federal Government has a leadership role, but needs to support State and local planning efforts, provide training at every level, develop an infrastructure for delivering mass medical care, and offer expertise to communities.