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PHBT: Bioterrorism Preparedeness Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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What is bioterrorism? The term "bioterrorism" refers to specific infectious agents that have been or can be used as terrorist weapons. If germs or toxins from smallpox, anthrax, botulism, plague, tularemia, or viral hemorrhagic fevers were used to intentionally infect people, they would cause illness and death. Bioterrorism, as the term is more generally used, also includes chemical and biological agents, such as Sarin gas (a nerve agent), Ricin (poison made from castor bean processing waste), "dirty" bombs (small bombs that contain radioactive materials) and nuclear terrorism. Is San Mateo County ready for a bioterrorism event? The San Mateo County Health Department is better prepared today than ever before to respond to a bioterrorism event. The San Mateo County Health Department is working closely with the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) to ensure the safety of our residents. The San Mateo County Health Department has made significant progress in preparing for a bioterrorism event: Established a network of emergency response professionals who have developed plans, policies and procedures for responding to bioterrorism emergencies; Upgraded laboratories, including purchasing equipment, hiring and training staff regarding new laboratory techniques for identifying bioterrorism agents, and instituted security provisions; Increased capacity to collect and analyze surveillance data in order to identify any increases in the incidents of communicable diseases. Prior to 9/11, only a few large counties had this capacity; Added resources and conducted training in public health emergency communication, including working with the media, community groups and the public during an event. Prior to 9/11, only a few large counties had this capacity; Acquired local expertise to work within the state's "Standardized Emergency Management System," a systemized method for responding to emergencies. This includes training exercises with local police, fire, emergency medical services, hospitals, and other responders. Prior to 9/11, only a few large counties had this capacity. What are local hospitals doing to prepare? The San Mateo County Health Department is currently working with several local hospitals to strengthen their level of preparedness. Hospitals, including Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco and Redwood City, Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, San Mateo Medical Center, Sequoia Hospital, and Seton Medical Center, have: Acquired a local pharmaceutical stockpile for distribution to San Mateo County residents at neighborhood distribution sites called NETVACs; Acquired pharmaceutical caches to treat hospital staff in response to a biological or chemical agent; Purchased personal protective equipment to protect staff from infection or contamination when treating patients who have been exposed to an infectious agent; Purchased additional medical equipment and supplies to provide the capacity to care for large numbers of patients; Obtained decontamination units. Hospitals throughout the state will now be equipped with at least one decontamination unit. Can San Mateo County residents feel safe in the event of a bioterrorism attack? A bioterrorism attack would be a horrific event — which is why we are testing systems, training and drilling emergency response personnel, and aggressively working to make our county as prepared as possible. Because of statewide local health department preparedness efforts today, California's response will be quicker, better coordinated, more effective, and will save lives. If there was an event, what should San Mateo County residents do? There are many steps families can take now to ensure they are prepared: Develop a family emergency plan and teach every member, including children, what they need to do to if an emergency occurs; Identify an emergency contact that family members can call (preferably in another city or state) to check on each other in case of a disaster; Assemble an emergency kit — one for the home and one for the car. At a minimum, include the following items: A flashlight with extra batteries A portable radio with extra batteries Bottled water Canned and packaged food Can opener First-aid kit, including prescription medicines Personal items (paper towels, toilet paper, garbage bags) Local radio and television stations will announce important information in an emergency, and the Emergency Alert System may be activated. Listen to these radio stations for emergency instructions in San Mateo County: KCBS 740 AM KQED 88.5 FM KSJO 92 FM KZST 100.1 FM Additional recommendations are available from the American Red Cross at: www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared. A list of items to include in an emergency kit can be found in the Health Department's Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness. Rev. 10/26/2005