Lecture 19: Topic: Bioterrorism (Dr Lau Cam)

Disclaimer: Let it be known that this lecture DOES NOT IN ANY WAY CONDONE THE ACT OF BIOTERRORISM. It simply points out some important facts that can help Public Health officials be better prepared in the event of such an attack. The slides for this lecture were provided by either Dr Lau Cam (St. John's University) or the UCLA School of Public Health and are available online at: http://www.ph.ucla.edu/cphdr/bioterrorism

After this lecture, you should be able to answer the following:


1. What is the definition of biological terrorism? What kinds of acts of biological terror have been carried in the United States since 1980? Why is bioterrorism a potential threat to us? Why might this type of terror be used versus other types of terrorist actions?

2. What are the two possible ways that a bioterror attack could occur? What is the difference between them?

3. List some of the roles of public health authorities in bioterrorism related disasters.

4. The CDC classifies bioterrorist agents into three categories. What are these categories? How are they defined? List examples of members of each category.

5. What is Real Time Outbreak Disease Surveillance?

6. What is the incubation time for inhalational anthrax? What kinds of symptoms will the disease elicit in the patient? What is the tell-tale radiographic sign that a patient has inhalational anthrax (in other words, what will their chest X-ray look like?)? What drugs are used to treat inhalational anthrax?

7. List and define the following terms: outbreak, epidemic, pandemic

8. Please make sure to do the assigned reading and answer all homework questions.