Bioterrorism Preparedness Program
“Be Aware and Always Prepare”
The San Luis Obispo County’s Bioterrorism (BT) Preparedness Program resides within the County Public Health Department, and is under the direction of the County Health Officer.
The County Public Health Department has been responding to public health emergencies for decades, but it wasn’t until 2003 that it began actively preparing for bioterrorism, in particular.
The BT Program is responsible for supporting the Public Health Department in the management and coordination of public health emergencies. This would include not only bioterrorism incidents, but also other incidents that would involve public health:
- Natural disasters
- Technological disasters
- Other acts of terrorism, including chemical and radiological.
Mission
The mission of the San Luis Obispo County Bioterrorism Preparedness & Response Program is to protect the public and ensure that the County’s first responders and health care system are prepared to respond to acts of bioterrorism or other public health emergencies in an effective and coordinated manner.
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Contact Us
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Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
911 |
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Public Health Department |
(805) 781-5500 |
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Environmental Health Division of Public Health Department |
(805) 781-5544 |
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Mental Health Department |
(805) 781-4700 |
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Public Health Information Line (PHIL) |
(805) 788-2903 |
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Automated touchtone telephone directory |
(805) 781-5000 |
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Got Questions? ….
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Contact us ( 
PDF 52 kb)
Other contact information ( PDF 44 kb)
Non-emergency:
Telephone:
- For General Public Health Inquiries: (805) 781-5500
- For BT Inquiries: (805) 788-2940 FAX: (805)781-1372
Mail:
TOPICS
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Types of Biological Agents
How to Handle Suspicious Mail ( PDF 59 kb)
How to Protect Yourself ( PDF 43 kb)
Day Care Disaster Preparedness ( PDF 75 kb)
Additional Web Resources
Frequently Asked Questions ( PDF 23 kb)
Additional Emergency Procedures
Centers for Public Health Preparedness Resource Center
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Report an Emergency
If you believe that you have been exposed to a biological, chemical or radiological agent, or if you believe an intentional threat will occur or is occurring, please contact local emergency responders by calling 9-1-1. If you live in an area without 911 services, contact your local emergency, medical, public health, or police department.
How to Get More Information During and After an Emergency
To get more information during and after an emergency, listen to your local television and radio broadcasts. If needed, contact local authorities such as the police or state or local health department (however, do not call a 911 or other emergency telephone line unless you need assistance with an immediate physical or medical emergency). If possible, you may also check media and state or local health department Web sites 
and CDC’s Emergency and Preparedness Web site.
Non-emergency Inquiries
- For non-emergency inquires, see CDC’s contact us information.
- For consultation on non-emergency Programmatic issues, please contact the following CDC Programs:
- Coordinating Office of Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response: (404) 639-7405
- Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases: Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program: (404) 639-0385
- Chemical, Radiological, and Natural Disasters: National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: (770) 488-7000
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Contacts for Use by State and Local Health Officials, Healthcare Providers
CDC Emergency Response Hotline (24 hours): 770-488-7100. The CDC Emergency Response Hotline can be used by health departments and healthcare providers to receive emergency information from subject matter experts in bioterrorism, chemical emergency and natural disasters.
Health agency contacts directories: Directories, contacts, hotlines, search features on StatePublicHealth.org (ASTHO) site.
Emergency Notification Procedures
State and local health officials: Interim Recommended Notification Procedures for Local and State Public Health Department Leaders in the Event of a Bioterrorist Incident (flow chart with explanations for responsibilities at each step).
First Responders Information
Emergency Response Resources : Information on collecting environmental samples, respirator cleaning, traumatic incident distress information, and more.
Also Interim Recommendations for Firefighters and Other First Responders for the Selection and Use of Protective Clothing and Respirators Against Biological Agents
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Types of Biological Agents
A biological agent is an infectious disease. It can naturally occur or be used in biological warfare. There are more than 1,200 different kinds of biological agents, some of which can be used as biological weapons. The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) has divided the agents which can be used as biological weapons into three categories, Category A, B, and C. To download a pdf file detailing the types of biological agents, Biological Agents ( PDF 35 kb).
CATEGORY A
Though these agents are rarely seen in the United States, we must prepare for them because they pose the greatest risk to our national security. Specifically they:
- can be easily transmitted from person to person;
- result in high mortality rates and have the potential for major public health impact;
- might cause public panic and social disruption; and
- require special action for public health preparedness.
The CDC has classified 6 biological agents as Category A. They are listed below.
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. It can be highly lethal in its most virulent form. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic herbivores, but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals, tissue from infected animals, or high concentrations of anthrax spores. The anthrax vaccine is highly effective at preventing spread of anthrax. Antibiotics can effectively treat anthrax, if administered in time. U.S. Army personnel are now routinely vaccinated prior to active service in places where biological attacks are considered a threat. Anthrax Questions and Answers ( PDF 20 kb)
Smallpox
Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. There is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. The name smallpox is derived from the Latin word for "spotted" and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person. Smallpox Questions and Answers ( PDF 12 kb)
Botulism
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin called botulin. Botulin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which blocks nerve function and leads to respiratory and musculoskeletal paralysis. The most frequent source is home-canned foods, prepared in an unsafe manner. Wound botulism occurs when C. botulinum spores germinate within wounds. Infant botulism occurs when C. botulinum spores germinate and produce toxin in the gastrointestinal tract of infants.
Plague
Plague, also referred to as Bubonic plague, is the mortal disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, which is spread by fleas and rodents to human beings. Historically, Plague has reached epidemic and even pandemic proportions in Asia and Europe. It is primarily a disease of rodents such as rats, prairie dogs, chipmunks, squirrels and other similar rodents. Human infection most often occurs when a person is bitten by infected animals.
Tularemia
Tularemia (also known as "rabbit fever") is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Humans are most often infected by tick bite or through handling an infected animal. Ingesting infected water, soil, or food can also cause infection. Tularemia can be acquired by inhalation; hunters are at a higher risk for this disease because of the potential of inhaling the bacteria during the skinning process. Tularemia is not spread directly from person to person.
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of illnesses that are caused by several distinct families of viruses: Arenavirus, Filoviridae, Bunyaviridae and Flavivirus. Some of these cause relatively mild illnesses, while others can cause severe, life-threatening disease. Examples include Lassa fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, Korean hemorrhagic fever, and Dengue hemorrhagic fever.
For more information, visit the CDC's Comprehensive Category A Information website
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CATEGORY B
The CDC states these agents are the second highest priority. These are agents that:
- are moderately easy to disseminate; and
- result in moderate morbidity rates and low mortality rates; and
- require specific enhancements of CDC's diagnostic capacity and enhanced disease surveillance.
Examples of these are Salmonella, Typhus, and Ricin.
For more information, visit the CDC's Comprehensive Category B Information website
CATEGORY C
Third highest priority agents include emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dissemination in the future because of
- availability;
- ease of production and dissemination; and
- the potential for high morbidity and mortality rates and major health impact.
Included in this category are emerging infectious diseases such as Nipah virus and hantavirus.
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