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Updates to Disaster Management Strategies for CDC Category A Bioterrorism Agents

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The goal of this paper is to provide current suggestions for a system-based response to a bioterrorism attack and discuss treatment options for CDC category A bioterrorism agents.

Recent Findings

Vaccines for anthrax and Y. pestis are being developed, but they are not rapidly available in the USA. Vaccine distribution methodology for the recent M-pox outbreak was used that the smallpox vaccine could utilize. Two antibody therapies and one vaccine are available for Ebola but not for other viral hemorrhagic fever diseases. Recent health system stressors encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to impact health systems similarly during a bioterrorism attack.

Summary

Management strategies for common infectious diseases provide some protection during the initial response to a bioterrorism attack. Most treatment recommendations have not changed substantially, but the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the understanding of population-wide vaccination. Future research may focus on vaccine development or local testing for bioterrorism agents.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as:    • Of importance    •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Thomas Collins for reviewing their manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MetroHealth Medical System, Cleveland, USA

    Scott Powers

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine, MetroHealth Medical System, Cleveland, USA

    Jeremiah Escajeda & Jonathan Glauser

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Contributions

S.P. wrote, edited, and reviewed the main manuscript text. J.G. suggested the topic and bibliography as section editor, emergency practitioner, and co-chair of the Disaster Committee at MHMC. Additionally, they edited and reviewed the manuscript. J.E. suggested the bibliography for the manuscript. Additionally, they reviewed and edited the manuscript as a member of the institution’s disaster committee.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott Powers.

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All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki Declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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Powers, S., Escajeda, J. & Glauser, J. Updates to Disaster Management Strategies for CDC Category A Bioterrorism Agents. Curr Emerg Hosp Med Rep 12, 53–59 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40138-024-00290-x

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