Coordinated response to reports of possible anthrax contamination, Idaho, 2001.
In 2001, the intentional release of anthrax spores in the eastern United States increased concern about exposure to anthrax nationwide, and residents of Idaho sought assistance. Response from state and local agencies was required, increasing the strain on epidemiologists, laboratorians, and communications personnel. In late 2001, Idaho's public health communications system handled 133 calls about suspicious powders. For each call, a multiagency bridge call was established, and participants (public health officials, epidemiologists, police, Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel, hazardous materials officials, and others) determined which samples would be tested by the state public health laboratory. A triage system for calls helped relieve the burden on public safety and health systems.
Tengelsen
Leslie
L
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Boise, Idaho 83720, USA. Tengelse@idhw.state.id.us
Hudson
Richard
R
Barnes
Shana
S
Hahn
Christine
C
D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D023482:Bioterrorism; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D007061:Idaho / Q000453:epidemiology; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
D015386:Hazardous Substances