Bioterrorism
The Public Health Department has developed systems for rapid detection and investigation of disease outbreaks that could be the first indication of a biological attack. Early detection of illness caused by a bioterrorist attack saves lives. The earlier an act of bioterrorism is reported, the earlier it can be controlled. Local hospitals and doctors will be the first to see illness in the event of a bioterrorist attack. Health care staff assist in early detection efforts by reporting unusual disease occurrence to the Public Health Department and by learning the syndromes associated with possible bioterrorist disease agents.