KING COUNTY, WA - Today, the Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County, Dr. Alonzo Plough, explained the extensive steps that have been taken by the local and national health community to prepare for bioterrorism. "Locally and nationally, bioterrorism preparedness has been a priority for several years, much before the September 11th attacks," said Plough.
"Public Health has a plan to detect and respond to bioterrorism," said Plough. "Our local activities would be supported at the state and national levels. The federal response to bioterrorism includes medications, medical supplies, and if necessary, vaccines to protect an affected community."
"A well-prepared and robust public health and medical system is our best defense against any type of biological emergency, whether it's bioterrorism or a naturally-occurring outbreak," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Chief of Communicable Disease, Epidemiology and Immunizations at Public Health - Seattle & King County.
"Neither Public Health nor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that the public obtain vaccinations, antibiotics or gas masks," added Duchin.
Currently in King County, there is:
- enhanced surveillance for bioterrorism
- a Biological Emergency Response Team (BERT)
- protocols for epidemiological investigation and response to bioterrorist events which include state and federal resources
- a preliminary plan for the mass distribution of medications
For complete information on local and national efforts in bioterrorism preparedness, please visit Public Health's bioterrorism webpages: www.metrokc.gov/health/bioterrorism
In addition, the public can call Public Health's bioterrorism hotline at 206-296-4949 for recorded information on bioterrorism.
For information on national preparedness, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bioterrorism webpages: http://www.bt.cdc.gov
