NCJ Number
192371
Date Published
March 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This document presents a bioterrorism preparedness and response project profile for the State of Washington.
Abstract
As of March 20, 2001, Washington had strengthened its capacity to respond to threats of bioterrorism by developing disease and syndrome-specific protocols for potential and confirmed biological/chemical events. Fact sheets have been developed for obtaining and handling laboratory specimens. Internal and external agency notification protocols have been established. The statewide and the Department of Health’s Emergency Plans have been updated. Disease-specific fact sheets for health care providers and potentially exposed persons have been developed, as well as threat guides for public safety and public health agencies, and businesses that may be targets of bioterrorism threats. A resolution has been passed to make bioterrorism preparedness a priority for all local jurisdictions in King County. Other measures have included educating health care providers, emergency management professionals, and others about bioterrorism; and updating condition regulations to include “diseases of suspected bioterrorism origin” and “unexplained critical illness or death.” State and local surveillance and reporting systems have been assessed. The government has collaborated with the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center to develop web-based reporting of hospital bed capacities. Syndromic surveillance has been conducted based on hospital emergency department discharge data and emergency medical services (911) runs. Project Year 2 plans include educating health care providers about bioterrorism issues and notifiable disease reporting regulations; updating and distributing disease specific investigation protocols; maintaining and testing emergency communication protocols; enhancing laboratory testing proficiency and capacity; and developing and conducting a survey to identify and profile Level A labs around the State. Also planned are upgrading local technical infrastructures to include installation of firewalls which support virtual private networking; developing training materials and mechanisms; and hiring a microbiologist/entomologist to develop Taq-Man based procedures for agents of Bioterrorism.