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From letter to Editor of British Medical Journal in response to editorial essay on Bioterrorism...

"In short, the proponents of antibioterrorism programmes have it backwards. Instead of pumping more resources into ill advised and risky antibioterrorism programmes, we should build national and international public health systems that can adequately reduce, detect, and respond to natural disease outbreaks and industrial chemical spills. Then, in the unlikely event of a bioterrorist attack, these systems will be available to manage the challenge."

Hillel Cohen, Victor Sidel, and Roberta Gould in BMJ2000;320:1211 (29 April)

In the Food and Waterborne Disease Program, we are attempting to do just that, ensure our public health system can respond to natural outbreaks and then in turn, our system will be available to manage the challenge of a bioterrorist event. The best thing public health personnel can do in preparation for a food or water intentional contamination is to be prepared for a natural food or waterborne outbreak and then to supplement this preparation with general bioterrorism and communication training and response plans.

Goals of the Preparedness Program

1. Train CHD personnel in their response to foodborne and waterborne disease acts of terrorism.

   Projects:

   • Offer intentional contamination tabletop exercises to three RDSTF before Aug 2004
   • Develop either web-based or CD-rom based training on foodborne and waterborne bioterrorism issues.

   Past accomplishments:

   • Hosted intentional contamination tabletop exercises for food and water
   • Hosted interactive training through the Interactive Bookshelf
   • Various training sessions have been held by regional environmental epidemiologists through the state.

2. Provide information on foodborne and waterborne acts of terrorism.

   Projects:

   • Maintain a preparedness website
   • Update the emergency procedures manual
   • Develop posters for presentations at conferences and association meetings

3. Provide county health departments with equipment and supplies needed during surveillance for or investigation of foodborne or waterborne disease outbreaks.

   Projects:

   • Provide additional equipment identified by county health departments.

   Past accomplishments:

   • Provided outbreak investigation kits to all 67 county health departments and satellite offices.

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