GNR Emergency Preparedness Department

Bioterrorism Awareness FAQs

Frequently Asked/Answered Questions

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BIOTERRORISM AWARENESS FAQs

What is Bioterrorism?

Bioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents are bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and may be in a naturally occurring or a human-modified form. Some examples of biological agents are anthrax and smallpox. In the fall of 2001, an outbreak of anthrax occurred in the United States. To date, no cases of anthrax or other bioterrorism agents have been identified in Georgia.

What is GNR doing to prepare for a possible bioterrorist event?

GNR has been preparing for potential bioterrorism for several years and continues to improve its ability to detect a bioterrorism event. GNR has been working with health care providers, public safety officials, and others throughout our region to develop plans to combat bioterrorist activity. These plans include steps to prevent further illness in the event of an actual bioterrorist attack. GNR also conducts bioterrorism training for the local medical and public health community. GNR is also responsible for creating and maintaining a Mass Prophylaxis plan for large-scale antibiotic or vaccine dispensing in the rare event of an infectious disease emergency.

What is GNR’s role in a bioterrorism event in our area? GNR will play a critical role in identifying that a bioterrorism event has occurred. Once a suspect event has occurred, GNR will notify appropriate local, state, and federal agencies about the event. Investigation of the event and surveillance for bioterrorism will be directed by GNR in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We will also open Point of Dispensing (POD) sites where large populations can receive antibiotic or vaccinations very quickly.

What do I do if I think I have been exposed to a bioterrorist agent?

If you think you have been exposed to a bioterrorist agent, call 911. The local police, fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will work together with GNR Health Departments to assess the situation. If needed, appropriate samples will be collected for testing and recommendations will be made as to whether you should be seen by a health care provider.

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What are the biggest biological threats and how are they spread?  Anthrax: starts with flu-like symptoms. It does not spread from person-to-person.  Smallpox: starts with fever, aches, vomiting and progresses to body blisters. It spreads directly from person-to-person through airborne transmission.  Plague: symptoms include fever, chills and cough. It spreads directly from person-to-person through airborne transmission.  Botulism: symptoms include difficulty speaking, seeing and/or swallowing. It does not spread from person-to-person, but has been associated with food-borne contamination.  Tularemia: symptoms include fever and a pneumonia-like illness. It is not spread from person- to-person.  Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs): start with fever, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches and exhaustion. Some VHFs (Ebola, Marburg, Lassa and Machupo) have been known to be transmitted from person-to-person through close contact.

What precautions should I take regarding the threat of bioterrorism? GNR Health Department does not recommend any specific bioterrorism-related precautions. However, in the event of a natural (for example, tornado, flood or earthquake) or man-made disaster, lives can be saved if people are prepared for the emergency. Every family should have the following emergency supplies on hand:  A battery-powered radio and a flashlight, with extra batteries to each  Bottled drinking water – one gallon per day per person, with a three - to seven-day supply recommended  Canned or sealed package foods that do not require refrigeration or cooking, and a can opener  A blanket or sleeping bag for each family member  First-aid kit, including any special prescription medications, such as insulin or heart tablets  Toilet paper and paper towels  Extra set of car keys, and a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks  Special items for infant (disposable diapers), elderly or disabled family members  Extra eye glasses, and contact lenses and supplies

Are vaccinations recommended to protect against a bioterrorist attack? There are currently no vaccines recommended for the general public.

Should I keep a supply of antibiotics at home to prepare for bioterrorism? Many antibiotics are effective for a variety of diseases, but there is no antibiotic effective against all diseases. Keeping a supply of antibiotics poses other problems because there is a limited shelf life before they lose their strength. There is currently no justification for taking antibiotics because of fear of bioterrorism. Antibiotics should only be taken with medical supervision.

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Should I buy a gas mask?

No. A mask would only offer some protection if someone were wearing a specifically fitted gas mask at the exact moment of bioagent release. Most likely, the release of a biological agent would be done without anyone’s knowledge.

What is the Strategic National Stockpile? CDC’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public health emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake) severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. Once Federal and local authorities agree that the SNS is needed, medicines will be delivered to any state in the U.S. within 12 hours. Each state has plans to receive and distribute SNS medicine and medical supplies to local communities as quickly as possible.

What should you know about the medicines in the SNS?

 The medicines in the SNS are FREE to everyone.  The SNS has stockpiled enough medicine to protect people in several large cities at the same time.  Federal, state and local community planners are working together to ensure that the SNS medicines will be delivered to the affected area to protect you and your family if there is a terrorist attack.

Should I buy a gas mask? No. A mask would only offer some protection if you were wearing it at the exact moment that a bioterrorist attack occurred. Most likely, a release of a biological agent would be done without anyone’s knowledge. To wear a mask at all times, or just in case of a bioterrorist attack, is impractical, if not impossible.

How can I tell if a letter or package is suspicious?

According to the FBI, you should look for certain indicators. For example, check the postmark to see if it was mailed from a foreign country. Also check for no return address and for restrictive markings such as “personal” or “confidential.” Look for misspelled words or incorrect title. Suspect letters or packages may be rigid or bulky and have excessive tape or string around them. They may exhibit a strange odor.

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What should I do if I receive a suspicious letter or package?  Do not shake or empty contents of any suspicious envelope or package; DO NOT try to clean up powders or fluids.  Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.  If you do not have a container, then cover the envelope or package with anything (e.g. clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) available and do not remove this cover.  Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.  Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face or skin. If you are at home, then report the incident to local police. If you are at work, report the incident to local police and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.

If possible, list all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to both the local police and local public health authorities for follow up investigation and advice.

Remove heavily contaminated clothing and place in a plastic bag that can be sealed. Give the bag to law enforcement personnel.

Shower with soap and water as soon as possible. Do not use bleach or disinfectant on your skin.

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