NCJ Number
189770
Journal
Emerging Infectious Diseases Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: July-August 1999 Pages: 564-565
Date Published
1999
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article addresses the threat of bioterrorism.
Abstract
A fundamental step toward addressing the threat of bioterrorism is comprehensive planning that focuses first and foremost on local preparedness and response capacity -– integrating the role of State, regional, and Federal governments and assets. Bioterrorism covers a very broad spectrum of concerns, from catastrophic terrorism with mass casualties, to microevents using low technology but producing civil unrest, disruption, disease, disabilities, and death. The Nation’s public health infrastructure must be strengthened. This means enhancing surveillance and epidemiologic capacity; laboratory capacity to support surveillance efforts; and communications systems to collect, analyze, and share data. Legal and regulatory issues dealing with quarantine laws and jurisdictional concerns need to be addressed, as well as informing the public and educating them about the reality of bioterrorism. Hoaxes, a growing problem, offer an opportunity to examine this coordination and response. Thinking through the different types of hoaxes helps to develop protocols and strategies that lead to recognition of a true event. Medical consequence management will require a look at new issues in consequence management, the supplementation of nonmedical support in the form of police or military, and access to necessary therapeutic products. A related concern is the need to develop new tools for the medical management of bioterrorist threats, such as improved and more rapid diagnostic methods, new and better drugs for treatment, and new vaccines. Also, there is a need to ensure that research institutions and individual researchers keep track of the whereabouts of dangerous pathogens, handle them safely, and store them securely.