Biological Disaster Emergency Mobilization Preparedness

摘要

There is a well recognized and continuing danger of epidemics, epizooics and epiphytotics of natural origin. Federal, State and local governments spend large sums of money each year for the maintenance of public health and for the protection of agricultural and related products. Expanding activity in the biological sciences has increased the probability of accidental exposure to dangerous biological agents. The ease of manufacturing such agents raises a serious threat to their use by terrorists, dissidents, or saboteurs. The lack of safeguards in international agreements outlawing biological warfare, and compelling evidence that those agreements may have been violated, reinforces the need for a strong capability for biological defense. The first step in this study was the identification of the basic national policy documents relating to biological defense. The genesis of those documents was then examined and the current system for evaluation of such policies and their implementation was described. Overlapping roles and functions were identified. The second step was identification of the assignment of responsibilities for the implementation of those policies. Plans for implementation were considered. Current procedures for the review of policy implementation were described.