Surviving A Biological Attack

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 are typically found in nature, but it is possible that they could be changed (weaponized) 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. Terrorists may use biological agents 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.

CDC Bioterrorism Agent Categories

Bioterrorism agents can be separated into three categories, depending on how easily they can be spread and the severity of illness or death they cause. Category A agents are considered the highest risk and Category C agents are those that are considered emerging threats for disease.

Category A

These high-priority agents include organisms or toxins that pose the highest risk to the public and national security because:

• They can be easily spread or transmitted from person to person

• They result in high death rates and have the potential for major public health impact

• They might cause public panic and social disruption

• They require special action for public health preparedness.

Some Category A agents: Anthrax, Botulism, Plague, Smallpox, Tularemia,  Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Category B

These agents are the second highest priority because:

• They are moderately easy to spread

• They result in moderate illness rates and low death rates

• They require specific enhancements of CDC's laboratory capacity and enhanced disease monitoring.

Some Category B Agents: Brucellosis, Food safety threats, Ricin toxin

Category C

These third highest priority agents include emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass spread in the future because:

• They are easily available

• They are easily produced and spread

• They have potential for high morbidity and mortality rates and major health impact.

Category C agents: Emerging infectious diseases such as Nipah virus and hantavirus

The Survival Strategy

1. Learn about threats and dangers in your area. Learn about and explore your options. Learn about any plans at your place of work, school, community and state.

2. Make a plan for sheltering at work and at home. Make alternate plans for transportation and routes, to your home from places you spend a lot of time. Plan as much as possible and prepare the necessary items, cash and so fourth to make your plan work. Plan for the fact that your plan may fail and need to be adjusted at a moments notice, so stay flexible. Plan to shelter at a evacuation center. Plan a place to go (family or friends) if you need to leave the area where you work and live. Plan how you will get there in a emergency. Plan how you will coordinate with family, friends and others.

3. Listen carefully to news reports and other information when it concerns possible biological agents. For example, many people getting sick, or unusual events involving places where people usually congregate.

4. Get A Survival & Firstaid Kit Keep a stock of food and water to last at least 3 -5 days. You can learn more by reading other pages on this site and doing more research. Remember, only N95 rated masks will provide any protection against airborne biologic agents or pandemic.

5. Stay away from any incident. Be careful about exposing yourself or others to any dangerous agent or event. If you aren't there generally you will be much safer and this allows emergency responders to do their jobs or get out of the area much quicker if it is necessary traffic jams and crowds can become a death zone in the wrong circumstances.

More Strategy Information HERE

More Information: Preparation & Planning for All Bioterrorism

• Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, & Tribal Public Health Directors
  All-hazards reference tool for health professionals who are responsible for initiating the public health response during the first 24 hours (i.e., the acute phase) of an emergency or disaster.

• Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
  May 2002. From the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, CDC
  PDF (605 KB/40 pages)

• Bioterrorism Readiness Plan: A Template for Healthcare Facilities (1.5 MB/34 pages)

• Guidance on Initial Responses to a Suspicious Letter/Container With a Potential Biological Threat (241 KB/6 pages)
  Guidelines for local responders, based on existing procedures, on the initial response to letters, packages, or containers containing suspicious powders, liquids, or other materials. Developed by HHS/CDC, FBI, & DHS.

• Cooperative Agreement Guidance for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
  Guidance for CDC emergency preparedness funding for states. CDC has announced the availability of FY 2006 funding for continuation of the cooperative agreements to upgrade state & local public health jurisdictions’ preparedness for & response to bioterrorism, other outbreaks of infectious disease, & other public health threats & emergencies.

• Community-Based Mass Prophylaxis: A Planning Guide for Public Health Preparedness
  Planning guide to help state, county, & local officials meet federal requirements to prepare for public health emergencies. Outlines five components of mass prophylaxis response to epidemic outbreaks. Addresses dispensing operations using a comprehensive operational structure for Dispensing/Vaccination Centers (DVCs) based on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). (Developed by Weill Medical College of Cornell University for the Agency of Healthcare Research & Quality [AHRQ].)

• Public Health Response to Biological & Chemical Terrorism: Interim Planning Guidance for State Public Health Officials (1.12 MB/106 pages)

• MMWR: Biological & Chemical Terrorism: Strategic Plan for Preparedness & Response
  Recommendations of the CDC Strategic Planning Workgroup.
  MMWR Recommendations & Reports 2000 Apr 21;49(RR-4);1-14.
  PDF (204 KB/26 pages)

• Strategic National Stockpile
  National repository of pharmaceuticals & medical supplies.

• Epi-X: The Epidemic Information Exchange
  Secure, Web-based communications network connecting CDC with state & local health departments, poison control centers, & other public health professionals.

• Regulations to control communicable diseases (9 KB/1 page)
  42 U.S.C. 264 (From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Chapter 6a--Public Health Service; Subchapter Ii--General Powers & Duties.; Part G--Quarantine & Inspection).

• Interstate Quarantine
  From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Part 70. On U.S. Government Printing Office site.

• Foreign Quarantine
  From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Part 71. On U.S. Government Printing Office site.