Bioterrorism in the United States: Threat, Prepardness, and Response

• NCJ Number: 189700
• Author(s): Jonathan Ban; Catherine Manzi; Michael J. Powers
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 42 pages
• Corporate Author: Chemical and Biological Arms Control Institute (CBACI)
• Sale Source: Chemical and Biological Arms Control Institute (CBACI)
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The report makes recommendations on what is needed to lessen the effects of and be more prepared for the use of weapons of mass destruction.

Abstract

The development of a strategic framework is urgently needed to deal with the threat of bioterrorism. Although the threat of a bioterrorism attack is low, there is still a cause of concern. Major components of the public health and medical response system include surveillance (detection capability), epidemiology, laboratory capability, medical management, training and education, and information and communication. Because only a small number of surveillance systems are monitoring sections of the country, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should develop a strategy for a national health surveillance capability. Developing that requires actions such as creating a task force comprised of Federal, State and local public health agencies and sufficient funding. Epidemiologists can approximate the point of exposure. To improve their capabilities, disease surveillance systems need to be improved and triggers need to be identified that would initiate an appropriate response to the seriousness of the attack. Laboratory responses can be improved by physicians undertaking cultures if patients have flu-like symptoms out of flu season and training of technicians of the range of bioterrorism agents. Successful medical management activities include having triage plans in place and testing management plans for flexibility and appropriateness to the size of an incident. Training and education efforts should focus on activities such as teaching medical staff how to deal specifically with biological incidents and having them involved with planning response efforts. Information infrastructure must be improved to where the full set of communications systems are integrated. The overlapping roles of government agencies should be clarified to avoid confusion. The private sector's capabilities, such as hospitals' surveillance systems and the manufacture of drugs, should be integrated into the public sector's proficiencies. CDC's Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program should have the power to manage the agency's bioterrorism initiative and serve as the clearinghouse for preparedness and response.