Since the catastrophic
events of Sept. 11, bioterrorism has become an increasingly important
topic in the news. The use of biological agents as weapons of mass destruction
has been a public health issue for some time. Credible Web resources
for a variety of audiences are available that explain what these agents
are, what they do and how the public can prepare for a possible attack.
UB's Health Sciences
Library has a guide titled "Medical Aspects of Biological Warfare" http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/hsl/ref/guides/bt.html.
This excellent starting point leads to a variety of material, both on
the Web and in print at the UB Libraries. The National Library of Medicine's
MEDLINEplus Health Information Page on Biological and Chemical Weapons
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/biologicalandchemicalweapons.html
includes the option to search the MEDLINEplus database, in addition
to providing a set of important links. Another good starting place is
the Selected Bioterrorism References page www.dhmh.state.md.us/eis6501/biotbiot.htm
from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
One of the most
prolific publishers of material on this topic is the U.S. government.
Several agencies are concerned with various aspects of bioterrorism,
as demonstrated on the Web page for the National Domestic Preparedness
Office www.ndpo.gov/, the clearinghouse
for state, local and federal weapons of mass destruction information
and assistance. From here you can link to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), among others.
From a public health
standpoint, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services www.hhs.gov/
brings together the latest updates on policies regarding the government's
response to a biological emergency. The Centers for Disease Control
& Prevention have compiled Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response
www.bt.cdc.gov/ detailing its role
and addressing prophylactic treatment for various agents. The CDC's
initiative includes the document "Biological and Chemical Terrorism:
Strategic Plan for Preparedness and Response." According to National
Public Radio, the CDC is receiving a million hits a day on its site.
APIC www.apic.org/bioterror/,
the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology,
has collected a prominent list of CDC articles in its "Bioterrorism
News."
Institutions of
higher education and non-profit organizations also are producers of
educational materials concerning bioterrorism. The Center for Civilian
Biodefense Studies www.hopkins-biodefense.org/
at the Johns Hopkins University Schools of Medicine and Public Health
has "Agent Fact Sheets" and a library of both print and online materials.
Another higher education institute is St. Louis University's School
of Public Health, which sponsors the Center for the Study of Bioterrorism
& Emerging Infections at http://bioterrorism.slu.edu/.
Professional organization
Web sites often provide a unique perspective. The American Medical Association
has created a Disaster Preparedness and Medical Response page www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/6206.html
where you will find a variety of resources for physicians, including
articles from the Journal of the American Medical Association
(JAMA) and other medical journals.
The American Pharmacy
Association is offering Pharmacist Response Center www.aphanet.org/pharmcare/ResponseCenter.htm,
which publishes detailed information about antibiotics and other drugs
for medical prophylaxis and management of biological casualties.
Finally, video resources
are available from a variety of sources. All the major news networks
have video clips of their reports on biological and chemical weapons
in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. The NBCnot the network, but
the U.S. Army's Academy of Health Sciences Nuclear, Biological & Chemical
or Directed Energy Centerhas training videos at www.nbc-med.org/SiteContent/training.asp?mode=video.
Tech TV, a cable TV channel, has some interesting bioterrorism video
available as well at www.techtv.com/news/culture/story/0,24195,3351901,00.html.
Lori Widzinski
and Sue Neumeister, University Libraries