NCJ Number
189907
Date Published
November 2000
Length
339 pages
Annotation
This document examines threat, preparedness, and response to bioterrorism in the United States.
Abstract
Over the last several years, a confluence of events has focused attention of the growing threat of terrorist use of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) weapons. These developments gave rise to a set of perceptions that the United States is vulnerable to terrorist attack; that such attacks could entail the use of CBRN weapons; and that the United States has not been well prepared to deal effectively with such a challenge. Biological terrorism differs from other types of terrorism in that it would impose particularly heavy demands on the Nation’s public health and health care systems. A number of programs are underway to improve the health and medical dimensions of the national response to the threat of bioterrorism. Some recommendations for preparedness are that surveillance systems should establish and integrate automated disease reporting systems, syndrome surveillance systems, and automated data reporting systems from non-traditional partners; and the funding of local departments of health to make use of information technologies that can be used to collect, deposit, analyze, and share surveillance and epidemiological data from a central location. Also, laboratory technicians at all levels should receive awareness training and proficiency screening for issues related to bioterrorism. In addition, a tracking system should be set up to track the movement and use of medical supplies during a bioterrorism response. Properly trained medical, public health, and emergency personnel are essential to a comprehensive detection, assessment, and response framework. Government must work with the private sector to ensure they become a full partner in the bioterrorism preparedness activities. Appendices and bibliography