Local agencies prepare for risk of bioterrorism attacks

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Local agencies are taking the threat of bio-terrorism seriously and have developed plans should a major disease outbreak occur.|ret||ret||tab|

Harold Bengsch, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department said, "A lot of work has been done; a lot of work remains to be done."|ret||ret||tab|

In 1998, the federal government requested that states develop a health alert network for homeland security and emergency preparedness in case of environmental warfare. The Health Alert Network was allocated $4 million in 1999. After the 9-11 terrorist attacks, another $15 million in federal funds was designated for Missouri. The network provides communication between all government agencies at all levels. |ret||ret||tab|

Eighty percent of the funds must be used at the local level. Bengsch said the regional funds will help refine what has already been done and allow for additional staff. |ret||ret||tab|

Bengsch said additions will probably include a planner, an epidemiologist and at least one clerical person.|ret||ret||tab|

"What we have developed is an infrastructure not just to deal with bio-terrorism, but a system that we use every day in the event that the public health is involved," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield region includes Greene, Christian, Stone, Taney, Polk and Webster counties. Information and data on infectious diseases is compiled and shared with local, state and national authorities.|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is linked through satellite to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the Department of Justice, Department of Defense and the State Command Post in Jefferson City.|ret||ret||tab|

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Disease trends|ret||ret||tab|

The Health Department monitors any suspicious ailment or death and reports to appropriate agencies any diseases brought on by agents typically used in bio-terrorism. The departments can communicate by e-mail or teleconference simultaneously with a number agencies.|ret||ret||tab|

The Health Department also monitors emergency room usage at the local hospitals and receives daily reports from each hospital on the number of beds available in the intensive care units, Bengsch said.|ret||ret||tab|

There are about 40 agents that can be weaponized. |ret||ret||tab|

The group of infections on the A list, or the most prevalent, are smallpox, yersinia pestis (plague), anthrax, botulin, tularemia, ebola/Marburg and arena viruses. The B list, which includes salmonella, is just as long.|ret||ret||tab|

But identifying the agent is not the whole solution.|ret||ret||tab|

"Once we know what the agent is and we know what to use, the wild card is to have it tested to see if it has been developed to resist normal treatment methods," Bengsch said.|ret||ret||tab|

Although local authorities are taking no chances with public health and safety, the threat is considered less in this area than some other parts of the country.|ret||ret||tab|

"Our biggest risk is people going elsewhere and coming back here," Bengsch said.|ret||ret||tab|

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Medical supplies|ret||ret||tab|

The federal government has supplies and medications stored at 17 secret locations throughout the United States, according to Karen McKinnis, environmental health specialist for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.|ret||ret||tab|

The distribution centers are not more than eight hours from any destination in the continental United States. Cargo planes can deliver supplies and medication to nearest large airport.|ret||ret||tab|

"We are fortunate that the Springfield-Branson Airport is large enough for the aircraft to land here," Bengsch said.|ret||ret||tab|

The Health Department has used the recent 2000 census to calculate the amount of supplies and or medication needed for the specific region it covers and has added 10 percent to allow for any population influx. |ret||ret||tab|

Schools have been designated as distribution centers because of location and size of the buildings.|ret||ret||tab|

Many of the drugs and treatments cover more than one type of infection, Bengsch said. They would be delivered in packets for individual consumption with bulk quantities included for extended treatment.|ret||ret||tab|

Records would be kept on each individual treated. Workers and their families would be treated first, said Bengsch.|ret||ret||tab|

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Water, air contamination|ret||ret||tab|

City Utilities has tightened security, but it is unlikely the water supply in Springfield could become contaminated, Bengsch said. |ret||ret||tab|

Water quantity for a city this size and processing at the treatment plant can dilute or kill most agents that are commonly used.|ret||ret||tab|

Air contamination, though perhaps unlikely, is hard to defend against, Bengsch said. With the number of small planes in the air today, it is possible an invisible, odorless agent could be dispersed and no one would be the wiser until certain symptoms occurred in a greater-than-normal segment of the population.|ret||ret||tab|

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