Impact 9-11: On alert

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department is on heightened alert for any signs of a biological threat, according to Health Department Director Harold Bengsch.

"For a biological event, we are the first responders in the community," Bengsch said.

It's a heavy responsibility, but one the department is ready for: its 20-member biological response team has been in place since 1999.

"When the anthrax situation hit, we moved into a higher level of alert," activating the biological response team, he said.

Bioterrorism has brought new urgency to the issue of public health infrastructure.

"Things changed very rapidly when anthrax spores were found in some congressmen's and senators' offices in Washington, D.C. Congress decided it's time we start rebuilding the infrastructure of public health," Bengsch said.

The local Health Department will gain a bioterrorism planner, two additional epidemiologists (disease detectives), a public health information officer and a clerical person. The new positions are funded with $324,000 from the Homeland Defense Act.

"Is Springfield high on the hit list? Probably not, but it doesn't have to be for the event to impact Springfield," he said. "Contagious disease can spread very rapidly. It (can) become a terrorist event in Springfield although it happens 1,000 miles away."

by Eric Olson

SBJ Reporter