The Strategic Plans for Preparedness and Response to Bioterrorism

Since bioterrorism has become reality after its occurrence in USA, our goverment is preparing and conducting strategic plans for preparedness and response to bioterrorism. The major plans consist of reinforcement of surveillance of notifiable communicable diseases, construction of supplementary surveillance systems, organization of emergency department and infection specialists networks, strengthening of laboratory capacity and network, and establishment of a stepwise response plan according to risk assessment. For the preparedness for bioterrorism, we are preparing a national pharamaceutical stockpile (antibiotics, smallpox vaccine, etc) and strengthening the organization, law, epidemiologic capacity, research, and management of critical infectious agents. It is very difficult to predict the risk of bioterrorism, which may be very low. Nevertheless, the complete preparedness is necessary to prevent social confusion by bioterrorism. Especially, phisician's role in response to bioterrorism such as case detection, report, management, and treatment is very important.