Q. What is bioterrorism?
A. A form of terrorism involving the intentional use (or threatened use) of infectious biological agents, such as bacteria, viruses, or toxins to cause illness, to cause illness, create fear and/or harm.
Q. What is Baltimore County doing to prepare for and detect bioterrorism?
A. Baltimore County Department of Health has been working for several years with federal, state and private organizations to plan for the possibility of a bioterrorist event. Information about any unusual illness, disease information, or changes in the numbers of diseases is being collected from health care providers in the Baltimore County area, to improve the county's ability to detect and respond to the threat of any bioterrorism agent.
Special emphasis has been placed on planning and coordination with local, state and federal health agencies. These agencies can provide resources to supplement our own. By strengthening the Baltimore County public health system, we are better prepared for bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health threats and emergencies.
Q. Should I buy a gas mask?
A. No. A mask would only protect you if you were wearing it at the exact moment a bioterrorist attack occurred. Unfortunately, a release of a biological agent is most likely to be done "covertly," that is, without anyone knowing it. That means you would not know ahead of time to put on your mask. To wear a mask continuously or "just in case" a bioterrorist attack occurs, it is impractical and dangerous. Improper use of masks may result in serious injury and even death by suffocation.
To work effectively, masks must be specially fitted to the wearer, and wearers must be trained in their use. This is usually done for the military and for workers in industries and laboratories who face routine exposure to chemicals and germs on the job. Gas masks purchased at an Army surplus store or off the Internet carry no guarantees that they will work.
In the event of a public health emergency, local and state health departments will inform the public about actions individuals need to take.
Q. Should I have my own supply of antibiotics?
A. No. CDC and other public health authorities do not currently recommend preventive antibiotics. Personal supplies of antibiotics for use in the event of a biological attack are not recommended for several reasons. There are a number of different germs a bioterrorist might use to carry out an attack. Many antibiotics are effective for a variety of diseases, but there is no antibiotic that is effective against all diseases. Thus, no single pill can protect against all types of biological weapon attacks. Antibiotics can also cause serious side effects. They should only be taken with medical guidance.
Keeping a supply of antibiotics on hand poses other problems because the antibiotics have a limited "shelf life" before they lose their strength. Hoarding antibiotics can lead to shortages of medication needed for persons with serious infections at this time who require treatment.
In the event of a bioterrorist attack, the Federal government has a large stockpile of pharmaceuticals - including antibiotics that are effective for most likely biological agents or germs. Baltimore County Department of Health and other Baltimore County agencies have set up a detailed plan of rapid distribution of medication to all those at risk during an emergency.
Q. Is the smallpox vaccine available?
A. President Bush has announced that volunteer health care providers and first responders will receive the smallpox vaccine as part of ongoing emergency preparedness efforts. The vaccine is currently not recommended for the general public. Routine smallpox vaccinations in the U.S. stopped in 1972. The last natural case of smallpox occurred in Somalia in 1977. The variola virus that causes smallpox officially exists in two laboratories, in the U.S. and Russia, but there is concern that it may be possessed by others and could be used as a bioterrorism agent, which is why federal, state and local governments are taking precautions to prepare.
Q. How will I know when a bioterrorist attack has occurred?
A. A bioterrorist attack is likely to be covert - we will know we have been attacked only when people begin to get sick and seek medical attention. It is far more likely that we will realize a bioterrorist attack has occurred when doctors and nurses diagnose the first victims of such an attack.
Once a bioweapon is released, some time passes before people infected by the bioweapon agent become ill. This "incubation period" differs from one agent to another. For example, exposure to the anthrax bacteria may cause symptoms as soon as 24 hours later; smallpox symptoms typically don't begin until 9-14 days after infection.
Q. What should I do to prepare my family and myself for a possible bioterrorism threat?
A. You can keep your family safe by preparing for any disaster well before it happens.
All family members should have disaster preparedness kits, each kit should contain neccessities (medications, food, water, clothes, etc.) for a 3-4 day period.
Family should have a family emergency plan disaster (e.g. where to meet in the event of a disaster, telephone number and contact address of an out of state relative, name and place of work and schools of all family members etc).
Q. If a bioterrorist event happens in Baltimore County, how will the public be informed?
A. The Baltimore County Department of Health, along with other government agencies and health institutions, will do everything possible to protect public health. Should a bioterrorist event occur in Baltimore County you would be informed immediately through the news media of measures that could be taken to protect your health. The radio and/or television will provide specific instruction on how to prepare for possible evacuation and of emergency clinics established for treatment.
Q. What if my fear about terrorism is having a serious impact on my family and work life?
A. Given the attacks upon civilians that took place on September 11, 2001, it is reasonable for citizens to feel anxious about their personal safety. Should your fear get to the point that it stops you from doing the things you would normally do in a day, it might be helpful to talk with someone. Your health care provider can make a referral if you do not already have someone in mind. In the wake of previous disasters, we have learned that it is helpful to many people if they speak with a counselor or to go to a mental health center.
Q. How can I take care of my pets during a disaster?
A. Baltimore County Animal Control has a detailed plan on ghow to help take care of your pet during an emergency. You may now evacuate without being worried about your pet's safety.
* Information adapted from the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Revised May 7, 2008
Courthouse 