Preparation and Planning for Bioterrorism Emergencies

NOTE: the following is a list of preparation and planning resources related specifically to bioterrorism. For resources relevant to preparation and planning for all types of emergencies, please see Emergency Preparedness and Response: Preparation and Planning.

Preparation & Planning for Specific Agents

• Anthrax
• Smallpox
• More information about specific agents can be found on the Bioterrorism Agents page.

Preparation & Planning for All Bioterrorism

• Considerations for Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA) Post-Exposure Prioritization (237 KB/19 pages)
• Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, & Tribal Public Health Directors
  All-hazards reference tool for health professionals who are responsible for initiating the public health response during the first 24 hours (i.e., the acute phase) of an emergency or disaster.
• Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
  May 2002. From the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, CDC
  PDF (605 KB/40 pages)
• Bioterrorism Readiness Plan: A Template for Healthcare Facilities (1.5 MB/34 pages)
• Guidance on Initial Responses to a Suspicious Letter/Container With a Potential Biological Threat (241 KB/6 pages)
  Guidelines for local responders, based on existing procedures, on the initial response to letters, packages, or containers containing suspicious powders, liquids, or other materials. Developed by HHS/CDC, FBI, & DHS.
• Cooperative Agreement Guidance for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
  Guidance for CDC emergency preparedness funding for states. CDC has announced the availability of FY 2006 funding for continuation of the cooperative agreements to upgrade state & local public health jurisdictions’ preparedness for & response to bioterrorism, other outbreaks of infectious disease, & other public health threats & emergencies.
• Community-Based Mass Prophylaxis: A Planning Guide for Public Health Preparedness
  Planning guide to help state, county, & local officials meet federal requirements to prepare for public health emergencies. Outlines five components of mass prophylaxis response to epidemic outbreaks. Addresses dispensing operations using a comprehensive operational structure for Dispensing/Vaccination Centers (DVCs) based on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). (Developed by Weill Medical College of Cornell University for the Agency of Healthcare Research & Quality [AHRQ].)
• Public Health Response to Biological & Chemical Terrorism: Interim Planning Guidance for State Public Health Officials (1.12 MB/106 pages)
• MMWR: Biological & Chemical Terrorism: Strategic Plan for Preparedness & Response
  Recommendations of the CDC Strategic Planning Workgroup.
  MMWR Recommendations & Reports 2000 Apr 21;49(RR-4);1-14.
  PDF (204 KB/26 pages)
• Strategic National Stockpile
  National repository of pharmaceuticals & medical supplies.
• Epi-X: The Epidemic Information Exchange
  Secure, Web-based communications network connecting CDC with state & local health departments, poison control centers, & other public health professionals.
• Regulations to control communicable diseases (9 KB/1 page)
  42 U.S.C. 264 (From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Chapter 6a--Public Health Service; Subchapter Ii--General Powers & Duties.; Part G--Quarantine & Inspection).
• Interstate Quarantine
  From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Part 70. On U.S. Government Printing Office site.
• Foreign Quarantine
  From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Part 71. On U.S. Government Printing Office site.

Additional Research & References

• EID Journal: Estimating Time and Size of Bioterror Attack
  Emerging Infectious Diseases 2004 July;10(7).
• EID Journal: Community Reaction to Bioterrorism: Prospective Study of Simulated Outbreak
  Emerging Infectious Diseases 2003 June;9(6):708-712.
• EID Journal: Planning against Biological Terrorism: Lessons from Outbreak Investigations
  Emerging Infectious Diseases 2003 May;9(5):515-519.
• EID Journal: Fear of Bioterrorism & Implications for Public Health Preparedness
  Emerging Infectious Diseases 2003 April;9(4):503-505.
• EID Journal: Public Health Assessment of Potential Biological Terrorism Agents
  Emerging Infectious Diseases 2002 Feb;8(2):225-230.