Public Health Response to Biological and Chemical Weapons

Public Health Response to Biological and Chemical Weapons

The report assesses the health aspects of the threat of biological and chemical weapons, including specific agents, focusing on civilian impacts. It then makes recommendations for preparedness and prevention of attacks.

2004

The second edition (renamed) of Health Aspects of Biological and Chemical Weapons. National entities need to do their own threat assessments to determine the prioritization of defenses against biological and chemical weapons. Most public health systems are not adequate to defend against BCW attacks. Preparedness for an attack is potentially strong deterrent against them, and a good preparedness plan should involve rapid detection, preexisting legislation, a plan for communication with the public, and the training of the local healthcare workers and first responders that would likely be the first on the scene. Existing international legislation should be respected and national implementation is required for its enforcement.