Biological Agents and Bioterrorism
What are biological agents and bioterrorism?
Biological agents are germs (bacteria, viruses) or toxins that can kill or make people sick. Exposures to biological agents can be either accidental or intentional. Bioterrorism is the intentional use of biological agents to cause illness or death in people or animals.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prioritizes biological agents based on how easily they can spread, the severity of illness they cause, and actions required for public health preparedness. Many of these diseases rarely occur naturally in the United States. Examples include anthrax, botulism, melioidosis, plague, and smallpox. More information about these and other biological agents is available from CDC.
How does public health prepare and plan for bioterrorism emergencies?
Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) cooperates with local, state, and federal agencies to plan and prepare for a possible bioterrorism event and other types of public health emergencies. DPH has established systems to improve detection and response to biological agents, such as monitoring disease trends and emergency department visits, rapidly evaluating illnesses caused by biological agents, and educating healthcare providers. The Connecticut State Public Health Laboratory provides clinical and environmental testing services that aid in the detection of biological agents as part of the national Laboratory Response Network. DPH is also prepared to distribute vaccines, antibiotics, and other medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile, if needed.
Learn more about public health emergency preparedness in Connecticut:
Public Health Emergency Preparedness in Connecticut
Information about how people can prepare for exposure to a biological agent is also available at Ready.gov.
How will information be provided in case of a bioterrorism emergency?
If a bioterrorism emergency happens, state and local officials will provide information through news media about how to stay safe and where to go for help. Officials might not be able to tell you what do to right away because it will take time to identify the illness, how it should be treated, and who is at risk. If antibiotics or vaccines are recommended, information would be provided about where and how to access medications.