PANDEMIC AND BIOLOGICAL THREATS
Many health emergencies are the result of infectious diseases. Infectious diseases are caused by microbes, including bacteria, viruses,
fungi or protozoa. To cause disease, a microbe must enter a person's body. Though there are multiple methods for microbes to enter
the body, the most frequent routes of microbe entry are through the lungs, ingestion, mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth), and
contact with injured skin. Typically, when a microbe enters a person's body, the person's immune system works to fight it off and
prevent infection. If the immune system is unsuccessful and the microbe encounters an environment favorable for growth, the person
will likely develop an infection. Types of viral illnesses that may be considered health emergencies, depending on the situation,
include various influenza (flu) strains, measles, SARS, West Nile Virus, and an intentional release of smallpox. Types of bacterial
illness that may be considered health emergencies include bacterial meningitis, botulism (caused by a bacterial toxin), and anthrax.
Bacterial illness can usually be successfully treated with antibiotics. Some microbes can be spread from person to person while others
require direct contact with the primary source.
Unlike an explosion, a biological attack may or may not be immediately obvious.
While it is possible that you will see signs of a biological attack, as was sometimes the case with the anthrax mailings, it is perhaps
more likely that local health care workers will report a pattern of unusual illness or there will be a wave of sick people seeking
emergency medical attention. You will probably learn of the danger through an emergency radio or TV broadcast, or some other signal
used in your community. You might get a telephone call or emergency response workers may come to your door.
In the event of a
biological attack, public health officials may not immediately be able to provide information on what you should do. It will take
time to determine exactly what the illness is, how it should be treated, and who is in danger. However, you should watch TV, listen
to the radio, or check the Internet for official news including the following:
· Are you in the group or area authorities consider in danger?
· What are the signs and
symptoms of the disease?
· Are medications or vaccines being distributed?
· Where? Who should get them?
· Where should you seek emergency medical care if you become
sick?
During a declared biological emergency
· If a family member becomes
sick, it is important to be suspicious.
· Do not assume, however, that you should go
to a hospital emergency room or that any illness is the result of the biological attack. Symptoms of many common illnesses may overlap.
· Use common sense, practice good hygiene and cleanliness to avoid spreading germs, and seek medical advice.
· Consider if you are in the group or area authorities believe to be in danger.
· If
your symptoms match those described and you are in the group considered at risk, immediately seek emergency medical attention.
If
you are potentially exposed
· Follow instructions of doctors and other public
health officials.
· If the disease is contagious expect to receive medical evaluation
and treatment. You may be advised to stay away from others or even deliberately quarantined.
· For non-contagious diseases, expect to receive medical evaluation and treatment.
If you become aware of an unusual and suspicious substance nearby
· Quickly get
away.
· Protect yourself. Cover your mouth and nose with layers of fabric that can
filter the air but still allow breathing. Examples include two to three layers of cotton such as a t-shirt, handkerchief or towel.
Otherwise, several layers of tissue or paper towels may help.
· Wash with soap and
water.
· Contact authorities.
· Watch
TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for official news and information including what the signs and symptoms of the disease
are, if medications or vaccinations are being distributed and where you should seek medical attention if you become sick.
· If you become sick seek emergency medical attention.
If There is a Biological Threat
· If you become aware of an unusual and suspicious release of an unknown substance nearby, it doesn't hurt to protect yourself. Be prepared
to improvise to protect your nose, mouth, eyes and cuts in your skin.
· Cover your
mouth and nose with layers of fabric that can filter the air but still allow breathing. For example, two to three layers of cotton
such as a t-shirt, handkerchief or towel. Otherwise, several layers of tissue or paper towels may help.
· Wash with soap and water.
· Contact authorities.
Cover Your Nose and Mouth
Be
prepared to improvise with what you have on hand to protect your nose, mouth, eyes and cuts in your skin. Anything that fits snugly
over your nose and mouth, including any dense-weave cotton material, can help filter contaminants in an emergency. It is very important
that most of the air you breathe comes through the mask or cloth, not around it. Do whatever you can to make the best fit possible
for children. There are also a variety of face masks readily available in hardware stores that are rated based on how small a particle
they can filter in an industrial setting. Simple cloth face masks can filter some of the airborne "junk" or germs you might breathe
into your body, but will probably not protect you from chemical gases. Still, something over your nose and mouth in an emergency is
better than nothing.
Antibiotics
While antibiotics are often an appropriate treatment for the diseases associated with biological
weapons, the specific drug must match the illness to be effective. One antibiotic, for example, may be appropriate for treating anthrax
exposure, but is inappropriate for treating smallpox. All antibiotics can cause side effects including serious reactions. Plan to
speak with your health care provider in advance about what makes sense for your family.
Use Common Sense
At the time of
a declared biological emergency, if a family member becomes sick, it is important to be suspicious. Do not automatically assume, however,
that you should go to an emergency room or that any illness is the result of the biological attack. Symptoms of many common illnesses
may overlap. Use common sense, practice good hygiene and cleanliness to avoid spreading germs, and seek medical advice.
· Stay healthy. Eat well. Get plenty of rest.
· Use common sense to determine if there
is immediate danger.
· Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
· In a declared biological emergency or developing epidemic, there may be reason to stay away from crowds where others may be infected.
· There may be times when you would want to consider wearing a face mask to reduce spreading germs if you yourself are sick, or to avoid
coming in contact with contagious germs if others around you are sick.
If a family member develops any of the symptoms below, keep them separated from others if possible, practice good hygiene
and cleanliness to avoid spreading germs, and seek medical advice.
· A temperature
of more than 100 degrees
· Nausea and vomiting
· Stomachache
· Diarrhea
· Pale or flushed
face
· Headache
· Cough
· Earache
· Thick discharge from nose
· Sore throat
· Rash or infection of the skin
· Red or pink eyes
· Loss of appetite
· Loss of energy or decreases in activity
Hygiene
· If someone is sick, you
should practice good hygiene and cleanliness to avoid spreading germs.
· Wash your
hands with soap and water frequently.
· Do not share food or utensils.
· Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
· Consider having the sick person
wear a face mask to avoid spreading germs.
· Plan to share health-related information
with others, especially those who may need help understanding the situation and what specific actions to take.
Health emergencies may occur naturally (more likely) or as the result of intentional actions by those who wish to harm others. Each
health emergency will differ in the population of people affected, the number of people affected, and the type and severity of illness
in the affected persons.
