Bioterrorism
Terrorism is defined in the United States Code, Title 18, section 2331(18 USC 2331) as “Violent acts or acts
dangerous to human life that…appear to be intended:
1.To intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
2.To influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
3.To affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping.
Biological weapons used in bioterrorism are living microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, that can kill
or incapacitate.
Health care facilities may be the initial site of recognition and response to bioterrorism activity. Because of
this, the names and telephone numbers for internal and external departments or agencies that need to be
contacted should be kept by each facility in its bioterrorism readiness plan.
Response to bioterrorism agents:
1. Internal reporting requirements (within a facility):
a.Infection control personnel
b.Epidemiologist (local and state)
c.Administration (health care facility and health department)
d.Office of public affairs in the health facility
2. External contacts (outside of facility)
a. Local health department
b. State Health Department
c FBI
d. CDC
e. Local police
f. EMS
3. Agents
a. Bacterial- Anthrax and Plague
b. Viral- Small Pox
Toxins- Botulism and Ricin