Outbreaks of infectious disease is a problem that has existed throughout the history of the United States of America with three influenza outbreaks in the 20th century killing approximately 604,000 Americans between 1918-1968 (Johnstone, 2008, p. 1). While pandemics are quite noticeable, a biological weapon attack may be less noticeable. This is a huge issue when it comes to Anthrax which can remain dormant and undetected within an area for a number of years before finding a host to contaminate (Johnstone, 2008, p. 2). Another issue with Anthrax is that it is near indestructible. However, the United States has a rather low number of cases, with only 224 cases reported during 1944-1994 and only one case conveyed in 2000 (Johnstone, 2008, p. 2). United States has been sufficiently prepared for a bioterror attack or an outbreak of infectious disease since the 9/11 attacks. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) was on high alert as they feared a biological or chemical attack was imminent and the country was not prepared if such an attack were to occur (Johnstone, 2008, p. 3).
The CDC created the National Anthrax Epidemiology Investigation Team and began their Health Alert system, which was setup by 35 epidemiologists in New York City. This allowed state and local health departments along with laboratories to be able to spot and report suspicious or strange illness. The CDC also put in place “push packs” which are medical supplies that are put in several locations throughout the United States. The “push pack” locations where chosen because they allow the packs to arrive anywhere in the United States within 12 hours (Johnstone, 2008, p. 3) Soon enough the new Anthrax procedures were tested because on the 17th or 18th of September 2001 someone or someone’s sent letters containing spores of Anthrax to a number of people including Tom Brokaw, the head of the New York Times, ABC, CBS and a building that was owned by American Media (Johnstone, 2008, pgs. 3-4). In all cases the letters
were confiscated before they caused any harm. Between the 22nd of September and the 1st of October 2001 a total of nine people were infected by Anthrax.
Early in the Anthrax attacks of 2001 former President George Bush created the Office of Homeland Security as a way to counter terrorism that would occur within the United States (Johnstone, 2008, p. 8). Homeland Security was permitted to develop protocols to monitor bioterrorist weapons along with the equipment that would be used to detect any harmful materials. They also encouraged people to get vaccinated and to stockpile medicine (Johnstone, 2008, p. 8). Homeland Security cautioned people against touching any material they believe could carry a potential bioterrorist weapon. They would go on to have a huge effect on Communications as the Office of Homeland Security requested that they be given the ability to work with the Executive branch when it came to informing the public of any potential outbreaks. In order to better prepare people for an attack Homeland Security put together programs designed to educate the public.
Bush also created the bioterrorism advisory committee within the Secretary of Health and Human Services Office which were both called Health and Human Services and the Office of Public Health Preparedness, which was headed by Dr. Donald A. Henderson. However, like the Office of Homeland Security these entities were not able to effectively handle the Anthrax attack. Tommy Thompson, who was the Secretary of Health and Human Services called for the creation of a group of countries dedicated to fighting bioterrorism which would share information and ideas. The Group would be known as The Global Health Initiative. The United States also created the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States to look at the facts of the 9/11 bombings. Soon there were a lot of procedures put into place and people trained, especially medical personal in order to effectively treat people who have been harmed in a bioterrorist attack.
References
CDC | Preparation and Planning for Bioterrorism Emergencies. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/bioterrorism/prep.asp
Johnstone, R. W. (2008). Bioterror: Anthrax, influenza, and the future of public health security. Westport, CT: Praeger Security International.
