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Local Preparedness

 

A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. These agents can be found in nature, but it is possible that they could be changed to increase their ability to cause disease, make them resistant to current medicines, or to increase their ability to be spread into the environment.

 Biological agents can be spread through the air, through water, or in food. Biological agents can be used because they can be extremely difficult to detect and do not cause illness for several hours to several days. Some bioterrorism agents, like the smallpox virus, can be spread from person to person and some, like anthrax, can not. For information on which bioterrorism agents can be spread from person to person, please see the alphabetical list of bioterrorism agents.

 

One issue to consider during a public health emergency, no matter the cause is that when local officals receive medications from the State or Federal government and begin dispensing it we will need information from each individual. One way we address this is to use a one-page form. These forms help us keep track of who has and has not received treatment, how to reach them should any problems deveolp, and to prevent any possible reactions to medications. One suggestion is to download, print, and fill out the form now. You should keep these forms with your other emergency forms and paperwork, in a waterproof container stored in a safe location. Download the PDF form here. NAPH Form  Be sure to update it regularly, and prior to coming to an emergency distribution point.

The Department of Homeland Security has established a website to provide information to the public about emergencies and emergency preparedness. For information on what to do in the event of a bioterrorist attack, please see Ready.gov.

In the event of disease outbreak, whether natrual or man-made, the Health Department is tasked with investigating the cause and and possible exposures, coordinating information and response with Fire/ EMS,Law Enforcement and Hospitals, and requesting and distributing emergency vaccines or antibiotics to the public.

 

 Ready. gov