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The Threat of Biological Terrorism: A Public Health and Infection Control Reality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Robert J. Leggiadro
Robert J. Leggiadro*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Sisters of Charity Medical Center, Staten Island, New York, andthe New York University School of Medicine, New York City, New York
*
Department of Pediatrics, Sisters of Charity Medical Center, 355 Bard Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310
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Abstract

Bioterrorism is an emerging public health and infection control threat. Potential biological agents include smallpox, anthrax, plague, tularemia, botulinum toxin, brucellosis, Q fever, viral encephalitis, hemorrhagic fever, and staphylococcal enterotoxin B. An understanding of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and management of the more likely candidate agents is critical to limiting morbidity and mortality from a biological event. Effective response requires an increased index of suspicion for unusual diseases or syndromes, with prompt reporting to health authorities to facilitate recognition of an outbreak and subsequent intervention. Hospital epidemiology programs will play a crucial role in this effort.

Type
Review
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , January 2000 , pp. 53 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2000

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