Bioterrorism
One of the core functions of the Merced County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is to prevent the spread of communicable disease and to identify disease outbreaks in Merced County. The MCDPH has been dealing with bioterrorism preparedness and response related activities since shortly after the events of 9/11/2001 in having to respond to a series of possible anthrax related "unknown/suspicious powder” related incidents that were reported over a several week period.
Since then, preparedness and response activities have continued within the County of Merced. The MCDPH has received funding to enhance its abilities in order to more rapidly identify and respond to the threat of bioterrorism within the county. The MCDPH"s Comprehensive Strategic Local Bioterrorism Preparedness Plan (BT Plan) that was developed, specifically has a focus to enhance the MCDPH"s capacities for investigating various outbreaks, including those caused by certain diseases that could potentially be related to possible bioterrorist activity.
If the MCDPH ever suspects the possibility of bioterrorist activity, we will immediately communicate with other agencies. Bioterrorism preparedness and response requires cross-departmental collaboration with multiple agencies at the local, regional, statewide, and even national levels.
Planned and ongoing local bioterrorism preparedness activates addresses detection, surveillance, laboratory analysis, emergency response, treatment, and communication with the public. There is no doubt that the critical element in responding to a bioterrorist attack is early detection and recognition. The MCDPH is working with local, state and federal officials to expand our surveillance systems to detect unusual or suspicious disease occurrences. Additionally, a rapid alert system to receive and pass information among physicians, other health care providers and health officials is being developed.
Additionally, specific information about the unusual diseases that might be the result of a bioterrorist attack have been distributed to all local emergency rooms and to health care providers in Merced County. Hopefully, we will never need to actually implement the BT response activities being developed. However, it is critical that we are well prepared. The MCDPH is dedicated to continuing to fulfill its essential role in emergency preparedness.
For more information regarding MCDPH"s Bioterrorism related activities, contact any BT Staff member below:
Chuck Baucom, Emergency Medical Services Administrator
And Bioterrorism Plan Coordinator
(209) 381-1255
cbaucom@co.merced.ca.us
Richard Rios, MPH, PH Program Manager
(209) 381-1130
rrios@co.merced.ca.us
