BIOTERRORISM PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY
The events of the fall of 2001 have made Americans
acutely aware of the potential threat of bioterrorism. Residents of New Jersey experienced bioterrorism firsthand with the anthrax laced letters
introduced into the postal system through the Hamilton Post Office. Hudson Regional Health Commission applied to
and received funding from the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior
Services (NJDHSS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in
Atlanta, GA for bioterrorism prevention,
preparedness, and response. As the LINCS Agency for
Bioterrorism? What Does That
Mean?
Bioterrorism is defined
as “the use, or threatened use of germs (biological weapons) in order to create
fear and disease among a population for religious, political, ideological,
financial or personal purposes.” *
*AZ Department
of Health Services, 2001
“Class A” Agents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
designated six disease agents as the primary agents of concern. They have been chosen because they meet all
or some of the following criteria:
Easily Spread from Person to
Person
Results in High Death Rate or
Has Potential for Major Public Health Impact
Causes Public Panic and Social
Disruption’
Requires Special Action for
Public Health Preparedness
The following are the “Class A” Agents designated by the
CDC:
Additional information about other disease agents can be
found on:
