After September 11th, the threat of bioterrorism became more real and almost immediately was included in a national debate on US capabilities to handle an event of such nature. The debate has kept the attention of not only members of the medical community and the media, but also of those in the highest sphere of politics and public citizens; questioning the efforts of the government in order to protect public health. A variety of measures are in progress under the responsibility of different institutions; the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been named by President Bush as the institution responsible to coordinate the federal response efforts in the event of chemical, biological, or nuclear terrorism, but it is responsibility of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in the case of a bioterrorism event, to detect the disease, investigate the outbreak, and providing stockpile drugs and emergency supplies in the amounts needed. HHS actions facing the threat of bioterrorism had been included in a continuous program focusing in five major areas:

Disease Surveillance and Public Health Network.  As part of this Program, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is upgrading the nation’s public health laboratory and epidemiological capacity. CDC has also put especial attention in strengthening all training and communications resources for institutions at local and regional levels. 

Medical Response. The HHS’ Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is working to improve medical response capabilities at both, local and national levels, increasing the number of Metropolitan Medical Response Systems.

National Pharmaceutical Stockpile. In a bioterrorism event, life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical material will be delivered in order to reduce morbidity and mortality of civilian population. Under this program, the HHS is also responsible of identifying, purchasing, storing and managing pharmaceutical and medical supplies intended to support state and local jurisdictions.  

Research and Development. Special attention has been given for research activities related to bioterrorism agents under this Program, in which the National Institute of Health (NIH) will be working on the generation of genome sequence information on potential bioterrorism threats and the development of diagnostic methods, antibacterial and antiviral therapies and vaccines.

Deterrence. Under this Program, the HHS is expected to track and monitor shipment of certain hazardous biological organisms and toxins.  

Early this year, the Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program was announced as part of these efforts. The Program, under the responsibility of the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is intended to assure that the Nation’s health facilities have equipment and training to respond to bioterrorism and mass casualty incidents, identifying and implementing bioterrorism preparedness plans for hospitals and other participating care entities nationwide.

For detailed information on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bioterrorism Program, please visit its website, www.hhs.gov or call the HHS Press Office at 202- 690 6343. 

For more information offered by other centers, organizations, and institutions regarding bioterrorism preparedness training and education resources visit: www.hrsa.gov/terrorism/bioterrorism.htm