Bioterrorism-Related Anthrax: International Response by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Published in: Emerging infectious diseases Vol. 8; no. 10; pp. 1056 - 1059
• Main Authors: Polyak, Christina S., Macy, Jonathan T., De La Cruz, Margarita Irizarry, Lai, James E., McAuliffe, Jay F., Popovic, Tanja, Pillai, Segaran P., Mintz, Eric D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases 01.10.2002; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subjects: Anthrax; Anthrax - diagnosis; Anthrax - epidemiology; Anthrax - microbiology; Bacillus anthracis; Bacillus anthracis - classification; Bacillus anthracis - isolation & purification; Biological weapons; Bioterrorism; Bioterrorism - statistics & numerical data; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) - organization & administration; Disease Notification - methods; Disease Notification - statistics & numerical data; Dispatch; Environmental Exposure; Health aspects; Humans; Infection; Infection control; international; International aspects; International Cooperation; Methods; Occupational Exposure; Population Surveillance - methods; Prevention; Public health; Safety and security measures; United States; World Health Organization - organization & administration; United States; USA
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059
• DOI: 10.3201/eid0810.020345

After reports of the intentional release of Bacillus anthracis in the United States, epidemiologists, laboratorians, and clinicians around the world were called upon to respond to widespread political and public concerns. To respond to inquiries from other countries regarding anthrax and bioterrorism, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established an international team in its Emergency Operations Center. From October 12, 2001, to January 2, 2002, this team received 130 requests from 70 countries and 2 territories. Requests originated from ministries of health, international organizations, and physicians and included subjects ranging from laboratory procedures and clinical evaluations to assessments of environmental and occupational health risks. The information and technical support provided by the international team helped allay fears, prevent unnecessary antibiotic treatment, and enhance laboratory-based surveillance for bioterrorism events worldwide.