What is Bioterrorism?

A Bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. These agents are typically found in nature, but it is possible that they could be changed to increase their ability to cause disease, make them resistant to current medicines, or to increase their ability to spread into the environment. Biological agents can be spread through the air, through water, or in food. Terrorists may use biological agents because they can be extremely difficult to detect and do not cause illness for several hours to several days. For a number of years, the federal government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have worked with state land local health departments to identify and respond to Bioterrorism. The federal response to Bioterrorism includes medications and medical supplies to protect an affected community.

Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology
The Cornerstone for Bioterrorism and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health events in a human population. Surveillance involves systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to track and forecast health events. It also involves the dissemination of this information to authorities responsible for disease prevention and control. Surveillance is the cornerstone for Bioterrorism and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness. Early recognition and reporting of any disease outbreak, along with rapid implementation of post-attack prophylaxis (preventive medicine / vaccination), are the two most critical means of reducing losses.

The Will County Health Department's Epidemiology and Communicable Disease Program monitors occurrences and trends of reportable communicable diseases, investigates outbreaks of diseases, analyzes hospitalization data, helps interrupt outbreaks or disease problems, and reports morbidity incidence and trends to the reporting sources, medical community, and other target groups.

Will County's Pharmaceutical Distribution Plan
Getting Medication to the People

In the event of a public health emergency the Will County Pharmaceutical Distribution Plan provides a means for mass distribution of pharmaceuticals (antibiotic medications) to the entirety of Will County and any other areas of responsibility. The Health Department is the Will County agency responsible for responsive distribution of these pharmaceuticals from both the Illinois Pharmaceutical Stockpile and the Strategic National Stockpile provided via the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention respectively. Should a full-scale distribution not be required, the health department will enact only portions of this plan to the affected areas of the County. The Will County Pharmaceutical Distribution Plan is the protocol for the planning and preparation, request, receipt, staging, public notification, and distribution of pharmaceuticals.

The full support of Will County municipalities and government agencies is paramount in order to effectively carry out the operation of this plan. The Health Department's Emergency Preparedness & Response staff has offered numerous presentations to these government entities in an effort to forge the necessary relationships which will facilitate a smooth operation in the event the plan is activated. Support has been overwhelming from these agencies. The Health Department is proud that, due to this support, the Illinois Department of Public Health has referred to our plan as a State model.