Introduction
Biological weapons are a unique environmental hazard as they naturally occur in the environment, but they are also unnatural in the way they inflicted upon the community. The history of bioterrorism goes back to 6th century BC, an incident characterized by Assyrians poisoning the walls of enemies with rye ergot. The Solon also used purgative herb in the times of siege of Krissa. Thus, bioterrorism is defined as an intentional dissemination or release of biologic agents such as toxins, viruses and bacteria. They mostly occur naturally but due to technological advancements, some of them are human modified. These viruses, fungi, toxins and bacteria are used against the community or the government to achieve economic, political and social objectives.
Food safety is among the most used forms of bioterrorism. The food safety threats include Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Melioidosis, Ricin, psittacosis among many more. These are placed in category B and is characterized with moderate spread rates.
Basic functions of the federal, state, and local level during this bioterrorism event
These are the principal agencies that deal with protecting the health of Americans. Their main aim is to ensure sustained medical preparedness and public health preparedness within the nation against terrorism. In ensuring public health they monitor, assess, and follow up on people’s health. They also ensure the safety of the workers responding to the event. They also aid in ensuring that the food supply being distributed to the people is safe. The agencies also provide the required health advice may it be medical, mental/behavioral and public health advice. The agencies also play a major role in establishing the count and the registry of the individuals that have been exposed to the terrorism (Rasco & Bledsoe, 2005).
Public health resources available to address bioterrorism threat
In addressing the issue of bioterrorism, infrastructure is one of the resources required. Through proper infrastructure that entails communication lines, it is ensured that communication between the different levels is possible. Laboratories are always at arm’s length from the levels since research is mandatory in providing the security required. Vaccines and medicines are also made available in the event of a bioterrorist attack.
Role of communication in emergency response
In any emergency, it is essential for all the communications networks to be working perfectly. These include wireless telephone, wire line, cable and broadcast television, radio, satellite, and internet. They help in communications between two different organizations or levels handling the emergency. This way coordination is made easier. They are also able to ensure that the issue is well communicated to the large community to ensure many more do not get exposed to the danger.
Strategies to improve communication
Use of emergency alert system, uses the radios and televisions in communication and passing of important messages in event of an emergency. The system can also be used by state and local authorities in passing of messages to the affected society (Institute of Medicine, 2006).
Use of commercial mobile alert systems, which allows the subscribers of a particular network to get messages on an emergency. This would serve the purpose of passing information to almost everybody in the society since majority own mobile handsets.
Since Amerithrax attack in the united states which killed five people infecting more than a dozen other, my city Utah is not currently well defended. This is because even after the attack, it took a lot of time for any changes to be made and even after the changes were made, they only focused on individuals and did not provide clear instructions of how to quarantine groups. The state also does not provide clear guidelines of whether it can provide mandatory vaccinations to individuals who are uncooperative to the process.
References
Rasco, B. A., & Bledsoe, G. E. (2005). Bioterrorism and food safety. Boca Raton, FL [etc.: CRC Press.
