title: Biological weapons preparedness: the role of physicians.
abstract: The real risk posed by biological weapons was demonstrated with the distribution of anthrax spores via the USA postal service in 2001. This review outlines the central roles of physicians in optimizing biopreparedness in Australia, including maintaining awareness of the risk, promptly recognizing an event, notifying appropriate authorities upon suspicion of an event, and instituting appropriate management. Management aspects covered include appropriate diagnostic tests, infection control procedures, and empirical therapy of agents considered possible biological weapons. The critical role of physicians as public health advocates working to prevent the use of biological weapons is also outlined.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia. kate.cherry@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kainer
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ruff
mesh_terms: D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001315:Australia; D023482:Bioterrorism; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004189:Disaster Planning; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D010819:Physician's Role; D010930:Plague / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011634:Public Health; D012899:Smallpox / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014406:Tularemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy