Bioterrorism (cont.)
What are the warning signs of a bioterrorism attack?
Although the government continues to search for an early detection systems
for biological, chemical, and radiation terrorist attacks, none of these systems
have been perfected. The medical community is advised to look out for unusual
diseases not typically seen in the area. Other potential clues that raise
suspicion for a bioterrorism attack include: new types of antibiotic resistance
in bacteria, because some biologic agents are modified (weaponized) to make them
more lethal, unusual numbers of cases of a disease, and atypical presentation of
diseases.
The general public should constantly be vigilant for bioterrorism. Events
that might suggest an attack include: a large number of ill or dead people in a
small geographic area, multiple dead animals of different species, and patients
with multiple different diseases, indicating a mixed attack.
What should I do if there has been a bioterrorism attack?
If you think that you have been exposed to a biological agent, the most
important thing to do is to quickly remove your clothing and wash off your skin.
Most biological agents cannot penetrate intact skin. Showering with soap and
water will remove most agents from the skin. If you have already inhaled or
ingested the agent, decontamination using soap and water my not help you, but
might help prevent exposing other family members or coworkers.
If the biological agent has been released into the air, but you do not
believe (or do not know) you have been exposed, you can utilize masks to help
prevent inhalation of the agent. The problem is that standard surgical masks
offer little protection. Specialized high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
masks are available that offer better protection; however, they are more
expensive, not easily found, and should be fitted to the person using them.
The two most important tools used by public health officials will be
isolation and quarantine. Isolation is keeping people known to be ill away from
other people. Quarantine is keeping people who may have been exposed away from
other people. The problem is that many times we may not know who has been
exposed. In these cases, the public-health officials will likely recommend that
everyone stay in their homes and avoid all public gatherings. By doing this, we
will isolate those sick and quarantine those infected but who do not yet have
symptoms. Those cities that utilized this technique during the Spanish Flu
pandemic of 1918 had much lower rates of death than did cities that did not
practice good quarantine procedures.
If there has been a bioterrorism attack, the first important step is to get
information immediately from the news media as to the right course of action.
For some terrorist attacks, it may be correct to try and leave the area;
however, for other events, it may be more appropriate to shelter in place. With
bioterrorism, there may be the possibility of transmission of disease from one
human to another (for example, measles, influenza, avian flu, smallpox, plague, and
viral hemorrhagic fevers). In the case of either a bioterrorism attack or just a
natural outbreak, it may be necessary to avoid contact with infected people or
just remain inside for a period of time until the infected people are no longer
contagious. Again, the key action is to understand the recommendations from
public-health officials as delivered through the news media.
Next: How do I know if I have been exposed to a bioterrorism agent? »
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