Bioterrorist Attacks - Assignment Example

Public Health Assignment SARS and Anthrax Outbreaks Federal and state organizations sought medical options(Hunter, 2009). The relevant federal and state public health bodies had not anticipated SARS and Anthrax outbreaks. World Health Organization had issue warnings about the spread rate of the diseases that had not yet confirmed if they were caused naturally or through bioterrorist attacks. The public health officials decided to ration medication. The distribution of medications and vaccines were needed in urgency, but they were not adequate for all cases. Conversely, the decision by public health officers altered the social order where every individual deserved equal protection from the menace. The distribution plan was not explicit. The public health officials sought for mass quarantine for the rampant cases of anthrax and SARS cases that were reported. The contemporary mass quarantine was the best method for containing outbreaks that had high levels of transmission. It was not possible for public health officials to pinpoint isolated cases of SARS and Anthrax infections. Therefore, contemporary mass quarantines were the best ways to caution the transmission of the pandemic. The decision to use mass quarantine was effective and it received government backup in 2003 outbreaks. The government issued quarantine both at home, and work and the success depended on how the public would initiate and implement the programs (Hunter, 2009). There were travel restrictions following SARS and Anthrax outbreaks. The process of protecting in and outbound travelers included distribution of alert notifications and visual inspections. CDC undertook the procedures that reached out to at least 2.7 million people in United States(Hunter, 2009). The program faced challenges due to many checkpoints within the airports. Travel advisories followed the screening procedures. The official response for issuing travel restrictions and advisories were relevant for containment purposes of SARS and Anthrax. However, the screening procedures stalled the flight operations. The screening process was for the greater good of the public but it could have been distributedin other areas to avoid congestion. The best response from the public health officers was mass quarantine. The method proved effective for SARS and Anthrax pandemic that did not target individuals. The level of transmission was high and needed a fast and effective prevention method. However, choosing medication ration did not amount to form of help except putting at risk the populations that were not covered by the distribution plan. Question #2: Botulism CDC classifies Botulism as a category-A disease or agent that can be a potential bioterrorist agent. Botulism is a high priority agent that can be transmitted from one person to another (Atrainceu.com, 2015). The disease can cause panic and social disruption. Public health procedures are essential in the event Botulism is mass produced and disseminated with ease. The disease has a high potent in that it can cause fatality in adults for only one microgram. The action of Botulism includes paralysis within the respiratory and muscular regions and eventual death if left untreated. The agent can cause disruption to public health if it occurs within a geographic clustering such as a public event or gathering. Preparations, planning, protocols, and guidelines in place within the U.S to address the impact of a Botulism outbreak or terrorist attack The government has botulism vaccine in case Botulism is used for a terrorist attack or occurs as a natural outbreak.The Department of Defense develops the investigational botulism drug to treat and prevent thespread of botulism because of its ability to spread with relative ease. A botulism epidemic requires a trivalent botulism antitoxin that is providedby CDC and the state health department. The antitoxinis producedwith any form of exposure to botulism agents. The state of health department and CDC has instituted strict procedures for patients who are exposed to the disease. Patients must be skin-tested for any hypersensitivity symptoms before prescription(Atrainceu.com, 2015). Government has also instituted legislation to prepare for Botulism outbreak or terrorist attack. Chemical and Biological Weapons Control Act took effect from 1991. The act allows individuals or community that gets Botulism threat to report to therelevant authority. The military and CDC have been entrusted with a sufficient kitty to contain botulism. The $100 million budget is authorized under the provisions of Defense Authorization Act. The funds are used for acquiring health personnel, training, and detection procedures. Legislationrequires health professional to become the first responders when symptoms of botulism are detected. The protocol for antitoxin features CDC and California Department of Public Health’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program(Friedlander, 2009). The two agencies ensure that there is sufficient supply of antitoxin. Relevant state health programs in United States are required to contact CDC to make clinical consultations and arrangement of the botulism antitoxin. The agencies know that prompt diagnosis is critical for an agent that has a relatively high spread rate. Additionally, the outbreak or terrorist attack may escalate to alarming levels to a point of demand mechanical ventilation. CDC and State Health Departments provide the support care. Immunization has also been studied as a viable option for botulism prophylaxis within United States. Question #3: Key Concepts of New Jersey laws New Jersey protects workers through minimum wage laws. New Jersey State Wage and Hour Lawprovide the minimum and overtime wages to shield worker from misuse. The time, mode of payment and a prohibition of wage withholding ensures that workers get their pay on time. The labor laws also accord workers fringe benefits which enjoy during holidays, sick leave and vacation under the provisions of New Jersey Wage Payment and Selected Labor Laws. New Jersey prohibits workers from employing minors. The provisions of New Jersey Child Labor Law and Regulations establish particular occupations, working hours and issuance of certificates to minors. Registrationis essential for all employers who engage in public contracting work. Workersare protected under Public Works Contractor Registration Act and the remuneration packages established by the Act. Healthcare facilities are essential for workers offering their overtime services. Each employer must offer the right health facilities for all workers. New Jersey Laws and FMLA Family and Medical Leave Act correspondto New Jersey Family Leave Act(Lwd.dol.state.nj.us, 2015). Workersget paid for up to 12 weeks when they are in thefamily and medical leave. Job-protectedleave for medical and family reasons ensures that workers cater for expenses arising from the program by virtue of being employed. FMLA and NJFLA provide workers with substantial coverage for workers. However, workers under NJFLA do not get time off work as a result of disability. FMLA fills the gap by ensuring that theemployees with a disability getthe time they deserve in case of serious illness. New Jersey Laws and ADA Americans with Disabilities Act relates to New Jersey Law against Discrimination to establish regulations that prevent any form of discrimination in employment practices. Employers are required to avoidmistreatment based on disability, hereditary disease, genetic test resultsand physical challenge. However, an employer is allowed to preclude a worker when the disability interferes with the job in question. LAD applies to public and private employers of all sizes (Lwd.dol.state.nj.us, 2015). Question #4: CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response for 2009 H1N1 Flu The 2009 H1N1 flu influenza occurred when there were government plans for development, refinement and exercise response plans against the pandemic. CDC teamed up with state and local animal and human health officials to conduct investigations and earth the source of infection. Epidemiologists also conducted relevant surveillance to monitor the extent the virus transmission had taken place. CDC developed a vaccine for H1N1 in April, 2009 to protect the masses against the new virus. The vaccination was followed by Emergency Operations Center in the same month. The process was completed in 2009 when the H1N1 gene sequences were uploaded in thepublic database. The sequences initiated public health research for comparison with other agencies around the world(Cdc.gov, 2009). The milestone for CDC as the leading organization for curbing H1N1 was finding a vaccine for the virus. The process took fast and hardly took four months. The ability to provide emergency and immediate response was pivotal for CDC emergency preparedness and response program. However, CDC regulated the response program exclusively and limited it to laboratories, health officers, at-risk populations and antiviral medications. Additionally, there was less communication to the press, and that could have increased the tension among the members of the public. The influenza had become an international concern that required research beyond United States borders. CDC emergency preparedness and response program for H1N1 was successful. The program covered a scope that provided solutions in United States and world at large. The agency coordinated efforts with WHO in order to address vital aspects of H1N1 and associated illnesses. The surveillance, laboratory and testing that involved H1N1 called for a pool or resources(McEntire, 2007). The resources came from organizations such as Emergency Use Authorization, National Incident Management System and epidemiological input from accredited public health officials. The plan that CDC unleashed was long-term and complex but it took a short period to initiate plans that would see the world free from H1N1. The program summed up the process by uploading gene sequences to public accessible databases. The databases provide a platform for research and comparison with other influenza findings. References Atrainceu.com,.(2015). Biological Weapons | Bioterrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction. Retrieved from https://www.atrainceu.com/course-module/1628495-98_terrorist-events-module-3 Cdc.gov,. (2009). CDC Novel H1N1 Flu | The 2009 H1N1 Pandemic: Summary Highlights, April 2009-April 2010. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/cdcresponse.htm Friedlander, M. (2009).Outbreak (2nd ed.). Minneapolis: Lerner Publications. Hunter, N. (2009). The law of emergencies. Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann. Lwd.dol.state.nj.us,.(2015). Department of Labor and Workforce Development | Laws and Regulations. Retrieved from http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/wagehour/lawregs/wage_and_hour_laws.html McEntire, D. (2007). Disaster response and recovery.Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Read More