Pediatric Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness: A ... - PHE Home

determined to be due to an agent of bioterrorism. Infection control precautions may also include
the use of masks, gowns, gloves, and equipment for eye protection, depending on each situation.
Once the initial history and physical examination have been completed, if a disease related to
bioterrorism is suspected, the pediatrician must notify the proper authorities, including the
infection-control practitioner (if one is available at the facility) and local public health
authorities. Each local public health system is organized slightly differently, so pediatricians
should become familiar with their own local public health agency and phone number for local
reporting.
Rapid reporting to authorities is essential. Each agency level has developed and continues to
refine response plans to handle a bioterrorist event. Rapid activation of these plans provides the
best opportunity to limit disease spread during an outbreak. Local authorities may initiate an
immediate investigation or seek assistance from the State health department.
For a list of State health department websites, see http://www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states.
For a list of State epidemiologists, see
http://www.cste.org/members/state_and_territorial_epi.asp.
States report their investigations to and request epidemiologic assistance from the CDC. The
CDC can provide public health consultation, epidemiologic support, and other technical
assistance to State health departments. The CDC usually becomes involved in a State’s
investigation at the request of the lead State epidemiologist or health officer.
The CDC can be reached during all hours through the CDC Director’s Emergency Operation
Center at 770-488-7100.
Health Department
Each State has a public health system, although the structure and reporting network varies from
State to State. In some States, the State health department has authority over county and local
health departments. In other States, county and local health departments function autonomously.
State health departments facilitate consultations with specially designated laboratories that are
capable of responding to public health emergencies (see the following section, Laboratory
Response Network). State bioterrorism response plans will reflect these differences. All
pediatricians and health care facilities should learn the structure of their local public health
system and the point of contact for reporting illnesses suspected of being related to bioterrorism.
Hospital
Most hospitals have started to develop bioterrorist response plans that may be part of a larger
hospital disaster plan. Hospitals play a very large role in the care of bioterrorist victims and
anxious or worried parents and others. Optimally, hospitals should have been included in the
response planning of local public health agencies. Office and hospital-based pediatricians can
become better prepared to respond to a bioterrorist attack by becoming familiar with local
hospital bioterrorist and disaster plans. In addition, pediatricians are uniquely qualified to ensure
that the special needs of children (e.g., medical supplies and therapeutics specific for children)
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