JEFFSelects: Bioterrorism

Indicates a resource available only to TJU students, faculty and staff.

Statements to Jefferson Staff

• Clinical Faculty & Staff: Additional Preventive Treatment Options for Inhalational Anthrax (HHS statement, 12/18/2001)
• Clinical Faculty & Staff: Clinical Presentations of Anthrax (11/2/2001)
• Clinical Faculty & Staff: Bioterrorism Brief (10/23/2001)
• Jefferson Community: Security & Infectious Agents (10/18/2001)

Databases

• MICROMEDEX
  Full text drug information, searchable by drug name, biological agent, and condition.
  
  
• TOXLINE (NLM)
  Citations to toxicology literature, compiled by the National Library of Medicine.
  
  
• MIPT Terrorism Knowledgebase (National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism)
  Search by incident, group, leader, geographical area. Includes National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) data.

Basic Information

• MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
  Illustrated overview articles  
• Cutaneous Anthrax 
• Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
• Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
• Inhalation Anthrax 
• Plague
• Q Fever
  
• Serologic test for B. anthracis 
• Tularemia

• Yellow Fever

• Medline Plus Health Topics
  For overviews, information on screening, and treatment.
  • Anthrax
  • Biodefense and Bioterrorism
  • Hemorrhagic Fevers
  • Radiation Exposure
  • Smallpox
    
    
• How to Handle Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats
  Instructions for handling packages and suspected exposure to biological agents.
  
  
• Protecting the Worksite Against Terrorism: Anthrax (U.S. Department of Labor)

Clinical Support Information

• AMA Disaster Preparedness and Medical Response
  AMA policies, links, advice for coping with disaster, links to JAMA articles on biological agents.
  
  
• Basic Laboratory Protocols for the Presumptive Identification of Bacillus Anthracis (PDF document, CDC)
  
  
• Biological Threat Evaluation Guidelines for Health Care Providers (State of New Jersey)
  
  
• Centers for Disease Control
  
  • Anthrax Resources - fact sheet, news updates, surveillance case definitions, and more
  • Biological agents/diseases - links to information about potential biological/chemical weapons
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Anthrax
  • Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response - the PHEPR site is a gateway to government medical information related to terrorism, including planning and preparation, emergency response information, and laboratory references, and surveillance information. It also includes specific information on biological agents, chemical agents, mass trauma, and radiological emergencies.
    
  • Update: investigation of anthrax associated with intentional exposure and interim public health guidelines, October 2001, MMWR 50:889--93, 2001
    
    
• Continuing Education Modules: Rare Infections and Potential Bioterrorist Agents (UAB)
  Designed by researchers in the Center for Disaster Preparedness at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) under a contract from AHRQ, the site currently offers five online courses for hospital emergency department physicians, nurses, radiologists, pathologists, and infection control practitioners. Courses cover identification of potential bioterrorist agents and commonly associated syndromes, including smallpox and anthrax. Courses are free, and each offers 1 hour of CE credit.
  
  
• Emergency Preparedness-Counterterrorism Resource Center (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)
  A resource for pharmacists for preparation and response to a terrorist attack.
  
  
• Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) Chemical Profiles and Emergency First Aid Guides (EPA)
  The EPA provides chemical profiles and emergency first aid procedures for chemical exposure, as well as information about personal protective equipment.
  
  

• Hospital Preparedness for Mass Casualties (American Hospital Association)
  In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Emergency Preparedness, the AHA developed these recommendations for hospitals to deal with casualties numbering the hundreds or thousands. Included are recommendations on community-wide preparedness, staffing, communications, and public policy.

• Managing Hazardous Material Incidents Volume I, Emergency Medical Services (CDC)
  A 1992 guide for EMS personnel who may encounter victims exposed to hazardous materials. It is available for its historical significance.

• Managing Hazardous Material Incidents Volume II, Hospital Emergency Departments (CDC)
  A 1992 guide for hospital emergency department personnel who may encounter victims exposed to hazardous materials. It is available for its historical significance.
  

• Material Safety Data Sheet: Bacillus anthracis (Health Canada)
  
  

• Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook,4th ed. (U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases)
  The handbook is designed to assist military personnel in dealing with chemical and/or biological attacks, but the information is also useful for civilian healthcare workers for dealing with terrorist attacks. It covers general information about chemical exposure, and detailed information about the diagnosis and treatment of biological agents. It also provides information about detection, personal protection, and decontamination.

• Questions and Answers About Anthrax Prevention and Treatment (HHS News Health and Human Services)
  
  
• Ricin Toxin from Castor Bean Plant: Ricinus communis (Cornell Univ.)
  This resource provides detailed information about the physiology of ricin exposure.
  
  
• Use of Anthrax Vaccine in the United States Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, MMWR Recommendations and Reports, October 2000.

Journal Articles

• Anthrax, Annual Review of Microbiology, 55:647-671, 2001
  
  
• Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, JAMA, 281:1735-45, 1999 (HTML and PDF / JAMA Consensus Statement)
  
  
• Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, 2002: Updated Recommendations for Management, JAMA, 287: 2236-52, 2002
  
  
• Anthrax: The Investigation of a Deadly Outbreak [Book Review] New England Journal of Medicine, 343:1198-1198, 2000
  
  
• Anthrax: Special Issue, Nature, October 2001
  Multiple articles available
  
  
• Biological and Chemical Terrorism: Strategic Plan for Preparedness and Response Recommendations of the CDC Strategic Planning Workgroup, MMWR 49(RR04);1-14, April 21, 2000
  
  
• Biological Warfare and the Skin I: Bacteria and Toxins, Clinics in Dermatology, 20: 346-54, 2002
  
  
• Biological Warfare and the Skin II: Viruses, Clinics in Dermatology, 20: 355-64, 2002
  
  
• Biological Weapons -- A Primer for Microbiologists, Annual Review of Microbiology, 55:235-253, 2001
  
  
• Botulism Toxin as a Biological Weapon, JAMA, 285: 1059-70, 2001
  
  
• Clinical Features on Nerve Gas Terrorism in Matsumoto, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 9: 17-21, 2002
  
  
• Clinical Recognition and Management of Patients Exposed to Biological Warfare Agents, JAMA, 278: 399-411, 1997
  
  
• Clostridium Botulinum and the Ophthalmologist: A Review of Botulism, Including Biological Warfare Ramifications of Botulinum Toxin, Survey of Ophthalmology, 46: 25-34, 2001
  
  
• Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses as Biological Weapons, JAMA, 287: 2764-73, 2002
  
  
• Medical Progress: Anthrax [Review], New England Journal of Medicine, 341(11):815-826, 1999 (PDF document with illustrations)
  
  
• Plague as a Biological Weapon, JAMA, 283: 2281-90, 2000
  
  
• Preparedness and Response to Bioterrorism, Journal of Infection, 43(2):104-110, August 2001
  
  
• Recognition of Illness Associated with the Intentional Release of a Biologic Agent, MMWR, 50(41):893-7, October 19, 2001
  
  
• Smallpox as a Biological Weapon, JAMA, 281: 2127-37, 1999
  
  
• Special Issue, Israeli Medical Association Journal, July 2002, including:
  • Defense Against Biological Warfare with Superantigen Toxins
  • Hemorrhagic Fevers and Bioterror
  • Medical Management of Terrorist Attacks
  • Mental Health Consequences of Bioterrorism
  • Radiation Terrorism - the Medical Challenge
    
    
• Special Issue on Bioterrorism, Emerging Infectious Diseases, 5(4):523-527, 1999, including:
  • Clinical and Epidemiologic Principles of Anthrax
  • Anthrax: A Possible Case History
  • Applying Lessons Learned from Anthrax Case History To Other Scenarios
  • Potential Biological Weapons Threats
    
    
• A Spotlight on Anthrax, Clinics in Dermatology, 20, 365-75, 2002
  
  
• A Spotlight on Smallpox, Clinics in Dermatology, 20: 376-87, 2002
  
  
• Tularemia as a Biological Weapon, JAMA, 285: 2763-73, 2001
  
  
• Weapons of Mass Destruction Events with Contaminated Causalities: Effective Planning for Health Care Facilities, JAMA, 283: 242-9, 2000
  
  

Videos/Training

• CDC Public Health Training Network
  • Medical Management of Biological Casualties
  • Anthrax: What Every Clinician Should Know (requires Real Player)
    Archives of the CDC Webcast series
    
    
• efilmgroup.com (Johns Hopkins University-ID Bioterrorism Center)
  Emergency Film Group subjects include terrorism response and homeland security, hazardous materials, EMS, awareness training, and more.
  
  
• Medical NBC Online (U.S. Army, Office of the Surgeon General) [Click on "Training"]
  

Personal Protection Resources

• Emergency Preparedness Guide (PA Department of Health)
  A guide for Pennsylvania residents for dealing with natural or man-made disasters. It includes emergency preplanning, preparation of emergency kits, dealing with family members and pets, neighborhood response, power outages, and sheltering and evacuation instructions.
  
  
• Disaster Preparedness (DE Emergency Management Agency)
  A guide for Delaware residents for dealing with terrorist attacks and natural disasters. Included are family disaster plans, emergency kit preparation, emergency food and water storage, and where to get help.
  
  
• Emergency Preparedness for Families, Individuals, Households and Pets (NJ Office of Emergency Management)
  A guide for New Jersey residents for dealing with terrorism and natural disasters. It covers family and pet preparation, emergency recovery, and emergency travel. Also included are guides for schools and day care centers, businesses, and government officials for dealing with these emergencies.
  
  
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (City of Philadelphia)
  A resource for individuals and families that may be in the city of Philadelphia during a terrorist attack or other emergency situation. Included are the city’s guidelines for evacuation, hazardous chemical emergency instructions, high rise safety, and bioterrorism resources.
  
  
• Facts About “KI”: Preparing for a Nuclear Emergency (NJ Dept. of Health and Senior Services)
  A resource on the effectiveness of taking potassium iodine (KI) after a nuclear disaster.
  
  
• FEMA for Kids
  This teaching tool designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Included are activities for children to learn about disasters, both natural and terrorist related, and how to deal with them. Also included are online safety rules for children and resources for parents and teachers.
  
  
• Ready.gov (U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security)
  The federal government provides this guide for individuals and families on preparedness in case of a terrorist attack. It covers the essentials for emergency kits, what to do in case evacuation or sheltering is necessary, and information about various types of potential terrorist attacks.
  
  
• Together We Prepare (American Red Cross)
  A guide for dealing with various emergency situations not limited to terrorist attacks. It covers essentials for emergency kits, emergency plans, training options for emergency preparedness, along with the importance of blood donations and volunteering.
  
  
• Will Duct Tape and Plastic Really Work? Issues Related to Expedient Shelter-In-Places (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
  These guidelines address the use of plastic sheeting and duct tape in the case of a chemical attack. They also cover the effectiveness of these materials.
  

General Resources on Bioterrorism and Emergency Response

• Biochemical Emergencies (HealthyNJ)
  
  
• Tell Me More About ... (Department of Health, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness)
  Fact sheets on biological agents.
  
  
• Emergency Preparedness, Public Health Component(Department of Health and Senior Services, State of New Jersey)
  
  
• N.J. Hospitals Respond to Trade Center Disaster (New Jersey Hospital Association)
  
  
• Pennsylvania's Homeland Security Site (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)

• American Red Cross Disaster Services
  
  
• Bioterrorism Planning and Response Tools (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology)
  Template for healthcare facilities, bioterrorism agent sheets and news.
  
  
• Bioterrorism Preparedness Program (Rhode Island Department of Health)
  
  
• Bioterrorism Resources (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.)
  
  
• CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
  
  
• Chemical & Biological Weapons Resource Page (Center for Nonproliferation Studies)
  
  
• Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention: EPA’s Role in Counter Terrorism (EPA)
  This site covers the role of the EPA in dealing with terrorist attacks, both through the mission of the EPA and legal resources. The site links to all of the Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention general resources for dealing with prevention and response to chemically related emergencies.
  
  
• Disaster Readiness (American Hospital Association)
  
  
• Infectious Diseases Society of America
  Includes public statements on bioterrorism defense.
  
  
• Medical - Chemical and Biological Defense (Chemical and Biological Information Analysis Center, U.S. Army)
  
  
• National Academies
  A Web site for first responders features information on bioterrorism and public safety, with a search engine of more than 3,000 related Web pages.
  
  
• Practice Guidance: Bioterrorism (Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology)
  A guide to infection control and epidemiology for bioterrorist activity, including information about: agents, economic impact, identification and diagnosis, management and treatment, meetings and symposiums, readiness planning, scenarios and threats, and vaccination.
  
  
• Selected Bioterrorism References (Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)
  
  
• Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Program (CDC)
  Addresses the national stockpile of pharmaceutical products.
  
  
• Textbook of Military Medicine, Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare (Office of the Surgeon General)
  The 1997 textbook written for military physicians as a primer for dealing with patients exposed to chemical or biological weapons.
  
  

• U.S. Homeland Security
  This is the federal government agency that deals specifically with terrorist threats and attacks. The Homeland Security Current Threat Level is posted here.
  

• Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Emergency Management and Medical Web Sites (State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Department of Health)
  A list of sites that for emergency planning and response for attacks by mass destruction weapons. (Word document)
  

For other guides to general resources on terrorism, see:

• University of Maryland's Resources on Terrorism

• Internet Search Engines and Guides
• Recommend a Web Site