PUBLIC HEALTH ARCHIVES
Early Warning: The Front Line of Biodefense
Patrick P. Rose
November 14, 2012
During and after a known or suspected biological attack, most events initially play out in local hospitals where the first symptoms caused by a toxic agent are recognized. Raising awareness among medical staff and expanding current training programs will help healthcare providers respond to a possible biological event both more
Not All Components Are Equal, But All Are Essential
Joseph Cahill
November 7, 2012
Implementation of the guidelines undergirding new national anti-terrorism policies will be a major challenge for state & local health departments. But the end result will be a better coordinated and much more effective national healthcare community.
Planning Needs for Staff Medication Dispensing
Craig DeAtley
November 7, 2012
Three modes of operation, two of which might strain the trained EMS personnel resources immediately available but would not overwhelm them. Preparing for the third mode, a sudden mass-casualty scenario, must be done carefully and thoughtfully.
Critical Intersection of Diagnostics and Countermeasures
Chris Mangal
October 29, 2012
A biological agent is released, samples are collected, and then the diagnostic process begins. Laboratories within a national (and international) network screen for potential threats and determine the level of exposure and treatment required for each response. Such diagnostics provide the guidelines necessary for using and distributing medical countermeasures.
FINAL REPORT: Advancing Technology in Biological Surveillance and Detection
Jeffrey W. Runge
October 25, 2012
The terrorist use of anthrax against the United States in 2001 pointed out the nation’s vulnerability to biological attack and need for rapid and sure response. Since that time, strengths and limitations of the current biodetection system have been discovered. To achieve a better preparedness posture, now is the time
The Use of mHealth Technology for Pandemic Preparedness
Sara Rubin
October 24, 2012
The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more than 600,000 people in the United States alone and an estimated 20 million or more victims worldwide. Today, infectious diseases continue to pose a significant health security threat to nations throughout the world. Because of the increasing mobility of the global population, it
Concurrent Distribution of Anthrax Vaccine & Antibiotics
Sarah Keally
October 24, 2012
Current plans for combatting the effects of an anthrax attack at the local level include the use of antibiotics. Although federal agencies recommend – and the Strategic National Stockpile provides – anthrax vaccine adsorbed as a medical countermeasure against such attacks, the vaccine currently is not included in the preparedness
State & Local Medical Countermeasures: The 12-Hour Push
Kay C. Goss
October 17, 2012
Emergency managers are working hard, on a continuing basis, to improve and support the national capability to assist in providing assets to affected areas during an extreme biological incident or emergency requiring medical countermeasures.
Identifying & Isolating Bio-Threats Before They Present
Patrick P. Rose
October 17, 2012
An emerging infectious disease or a bioterrorism attack must be prevented from spreading globally even when the effectiveness of predictive measures and detection programs is in question. In addition to current medical countermeasures, defending against biological threats may require the enforcement of control measures that rely on non-medical public health
Addressing Key Policy Issues Before the Next Catastrophe
Ann Lesperance
October 10, 2012
Economic redevelopment, waste and fatality management, and the prioritization of cleanup operations are just a few of the key policy issues that decision makers must consider and address before the next anthrax attack or other disaster strikes. Having a clear strategy, effective management plans, and solid relationships with partners who
Protecting Civilian Emergency Responders Against Anthrax
Thomas K. Zink
October 10, 2012
There is general agreement that the best way to protect emergency responders against anthrax would be to immunize them prior to an attack. But, despite the fact that millions of “expired” doses of anthrax vaccine are routinely destroyed each year, many civilian responders still are not provided pre-event vaccinations. This
Breaking the Rules to Save Lives
Joseph Cahill
October 3, 2012
No two emergency scenarios are identical and some may call for “creative” solutions – for example, overriding triage strategies for victims of a weapon of mass destruction or substituting medications for scarce countermeasures. Understanding the rules and how far they can “bend” in a crisis situation may help save not
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