ED will be first to notice a biological attack.
A terrorist attack using biological agents is harder to recognize than a chemical and nuclear incident. Communication with other departments and groups--such as the hospital lab, infectious disease and infection control departments, and state public health agencies--can help identify a biological attack quickly. Be aware of significant patterns in your patient population, such as a large number of patients with flu-like symptoms in the summertime.
D001694:Biological Warfare; D003142:Communication; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence