Wednesday, October 10, 2001
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Wednesday, October 10, 2001 |
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Bioterror: Fayette health officials ready, prepared to respond if needed By JOHN MUNFORD
Local public health officials are prepared to respond to bioterrorism attacks here if necessary. The response to reports of chemical exposure would be very similar to its routine investigations of certain infectious diseases, said Susan Ayers, director of nursing and clinical services for the public health district that covers Fayette County. Laurie Cook, the District 4 director of environmental health, said officials have been on the highest state of alert since the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. several weeks ago. The readiness takes on more weight with reports out of Florida Tuesday that two coworkers have been diagnosed with exposure to anthrax, a bioterrorism chemical. One of those victims has died, according to national media reports. Dozens of coworkers are receiving antibiotics as a precaution. If a similar case were reported here, public health officials would investigate who might have come into contact with the chemicals, make sure those persons are notified and distribute medication if necessary, Ayers said. "The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) will be very involved in anything unusual," Ayers said. "... We would work around the clock if need be." A big key in the process is making sure that hospitals and private physicians report suspected cases to the state. A statewide computer network designed to handle that process would notify local public health authorities to take action. That same system is used to report possible cases of other infectious diseases such as E coli and meningitis, Ayers said. A statewide conference on public health response to bioterrorism attacks is scheduled for mid-November. But Cook said local public health officials were training for bioterrorism response well before the terrorist attacks Sept. 11. Training is led by Dr. Michael Brackett, the district's medical director, who has taken a personal interest in the issue. Public health officials also are prepared to respond to other natural disasters, such as the floods in Albany, Ga., which occurred in 1995. Health Department employees can help inspect public shelter areas and make sure food service standards are met during such a crisis, Ayers added.
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