NCJ Number: 202579
Title: Bioterrorism Preparedness Policy Brief
Corporate Author: Texas Institute for Heath Policy Research
Date Published: December 4, 2001
Page Count: 15
Sponsoring Agency: Houston Endowment, Inc
Sale Source: Texas Institute for Heath Policy Research
Document: PDF
Type: Legislation/Policy Description
Format: Document (Online)
Language: English
Country: United States of America
Annotation: This paper frames the issue of "bioterrorism" (the intentional
release of biological agents and toxins to terrorize a civilian
population or manipulate a government) in a historical context;
reviews the policy and health implications of a bioterrorist
attack; and describes some policy and preparedness initiatives
nationally, in Texas, and in other States.
Abstract: The use of biological agents that are toxic to humans has been
used in wars and battles since Neanderthals coated their
arrowheads with animal excrement to make them more toxic. Despite
numerous efforts to eliminate the use of biological weapons since
the end of World War I, their development persists in various
parts of the world. Although biological agents are dangerous and
difficult to develop and manage as weaponry, advances in
biotechnology and easy access to necessary equipment and
materials to establish labs make them attractive weapons for
terrorists. Because of the continuing difficulty of dispersing
biological agents, however, experts still consider the effective,
widespread use of germs by terrorists as an increasing, but still unlikely risk. The recent anthrax attacks in the United States, however, show the possibility for using a biological agent to inflict terror on a population through a targeted dissemination of a deadly biological agent. In March 2000, the U.S. Congress directed the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a mock bioweapons attack and engage key top officials to manage the
aftermath. The exercise involved responding to a covert release
of aerosol plague bacilli at the Denver Performing Arts Center.
Participants noted significant confusion about the roles of
various authorities and decisionmaking processes, conflict among State and Federal agencies, exhaustion, communication problems,
lack of coordination, and insufficient resources as major
problems during the drill. Hospitals that participated in the
drill were "beyond capacity in less than 24 hours of the epidemic." The core problem was the lack of an enforceable disease containment plan. A similar drill that involved a simulated smallpox attack was conducted in June 2001. Similar
difficulties were revealed in this drill. This paper also notes
the legal issues that would probably evolve from a bioterrorist
attack, such as the liability of ill-prepared medical facilities
and services and the liability of drug and vaccine manufacturers.
A review of Federal preparedness initiatives focuses on efforts
to upgrade capacity, the establishment of the Health Alert
Network, and the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program. One section of this paper addresses Texas' state of preparedness for
a biological attack. There have been efforts on a number of
fronts to upgrade interagency and intergovernmental communication
systems, medical preparedness, and interagency training. The most
significant problem identified for Texas is the State's current
lack of resources to handle a major attack. Almost every public
service that would be instrumental in countering a biological
attack is already severely strained, i.e., hospitals, medical
personnel, laboratories, and emergency services. Policymakers and
community leaders must focus on finding more resources to handle
a bioterrorist attack and exercise the leadership to allocate
those resources wisely. 127 notes
Main Term(s): Domestic Preparedness
Index Term(s): Biological weapons; Counter-terrorism tactics; Emergency procedures; Emergency services training; Police emergency planning; Terrorist tactics; Terrorist weapons; Texas; Victim medical assistance
Note: Downloaded October 23, 2003.
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