The primary role of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has always been to respond to public health emergencies in the United States.  This was true prior to the events of September 11, 2001, and continues to be the case with the recent focus shifting to bioterrorism.

Following the Anthrax mailings in the Fall of 2001, the CDC realized that the response to a bioterrorist act requires rapid deployment of public health resources, but such resources were limited and resided in an inadequate public health infrastructure.  Since then, the CDC has established the “Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program” to “ensure the rapid development of federal, state, and local capacity to address potential bioterrorism events.” (1)

To be successful, the CDC has further recognized the need to work more effectively with State health agencies, thus increasing the ability of these agencies to identify and communicate current health threats, including bioterrorism-related diseases.  The CDC has also cooperated with pharmaceutical companies to stockpile drugs that would be needed to react quickly should such a large bioterrorist event occur.  By expanding the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, it is now possible to deliver supplies to the people who need them, anywhere within the U.S., within 12 hours. (2)

These programs have been possible through the provision of grant money – $918 million – to states, cities and territories. (3)  But as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson explained in a CDC Press Release dated September 9, 2002, it is important to not become complacent.  He states that “the urgency to build up our preparedness still remains.  We must stay focused on the task at hand and make sure we build as quickly as possible.” (4)

To ensure their future success at addressing bioterrorist activities, the CDC has strengthened their partnerships with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Postal Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as others.  This relationship permits a more effective end-to-end response, allowing the appropriate agency to respond to a specific event.

In concert with state and local health departments, and in accordance with their one-page brief entitled “Bioterrorism,” the CDC identifies the next steps will be:
· Continuing to enhance publich health infrastructure for bioterrorism response;
· Continue to develop response capacity;
· Provide training in bioterrorism preparedness and response for the public health workforce; and
· Continue to enhance the national pharmaceutical stockpile and information systems. (5)

The CDC has setup two information lines to address concerns of the general public:  The National Immunization Hotline for information about diseases and vaccines (1.800.232.2522); and the CDC Public Response Hotline to answer questions about bioterrorism exposure (1.888.246.2675).

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References:

(1, 5) CDC Program in Brief.  Bioterrorism.  http://www.cdc.gov/bio1.gov.  February 2002.
(2, 4) CDC Press Release.  As Americans Reflect on 9/11, HHS and CDC Continue to Aggressively Prepare the Nation for Another Terrorist Attack.  http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r020909.htm.  September 9, 2002.
(3) CDC Telebriefing Transcript.  CDC’s Terrorrism Preparedness: One Year Later.  http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t020827.htm.  August 27, 2002.
 

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For additional information regarding:

1. Anthrax, Smallpox, radiological emergencies, and chemical agents, visit www.cdc.gov.
2. National, State, and Local-level strategies and Plans, visit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/index.asp.