ER triage: Bioterrorism Emergency Response Plan: Anthrax

Background Information

Anthrax is listed as a “Category A” biological agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is one of six “Category A” agents that are most likely to be used in a bioterrorism event and poses a challenging issue for Homeland Security. The others include botulism, smallpox, plague, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers. Bioterrorism is defined as an event in which the deliberate or threatened use of bacteria, viruses, or toxins are implicated in order to cause disruption, fear, or even death. A large-scale bioterrorism attack is expected to be an aerosolized agent. All six of the “Category A” agents labeled by the CDC have the capability to be aerosolized.

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