Media Release

FOR: Embargoed Until 5:00 PM EDT
DATE: September 15, 1999
CONTACT: Robert Marshall, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Health, 222-2231, Walter Combs, Ph.D., Executive Director of Health
(Environmental Health) 222-3118

Rhode Island Health Department Awarded
Bioterrorism Preparedness Grant

Imagine what would happen if terrorists announced the release of an unknown biological weapon during some public sports event, concert or holiday celebration. Imagine that sick and anxious citizens overran hospital emergency rooms-- obstructing treatment for victims of heart attacks and highway crashes. These situations portray bioterrorism, where chaos, not death, is the ultimate aim.

Although experts do not consider Rhode Island a primary target, terrorism could happen in any city or town in the US. Being prepared is the only real defense.

Today, Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH), announced a grant of $773,102 from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) to develop a preparedness and response plan against bioterrorism. Rhode Island won priority funding in a competitive grant process, in part because it provides unique opportunities for close coordination of emergency response activities. HEALTH based the grant application on close working relationships with other state agencies and community partners (such as municipal governments and local hospitals) who play an important role in bioterrorism preparedness.

"Unfortunately, bioterrorism is a real menace in today's global society," said Dr. Nolan. "Many US cities, including Providence, received bioterrorism warnings that thankfully turned out to be hoaxes. Even these hoaxes profoundly affect our sense of community safety. This award will prepare us to investigate each situation and determine quickly if the threat is real. As a result of improved planning and communication systems, Rhode Island will be able to minimize the chaos and fear which often follows a terrorist event".

Dr Nolan also noted that this effort will improve our response to natural events such as disease outbreaks, oil spills, sewage contamination of bathing areas and other public health emergencies.

The grant helps HEALTH develop and expand capabilities in three key areas of bioterrorism preparedness and response:

• Monitoring disease patterns to detect changes that signal possible bioterrorist acts.
• Improving laboratory ability to identify organisms and determine if threats are real.
• Communicating with trained medical, law enforcement and emergency response personnel at the local, state and federal levels.

Advanced surveillance permits HEALTH officials to detect unusual outbreaks of illness that may result from biological weapons. Enhanced laboratory capacity ensures that the state public health laboratories can safely handle and quickly identify biological substances, confirm hazards and assist community laboratories.

An effective public health response depends on the quality and timeliness of communication among numerous partners, including health agencies, clinicians, laboratories, police and emergency personnel, pharmacies, medical examiner, and poison control centers. The health alert network (HAN) facilitates the exchange of information between key community, state and federal agencies and experts--primarily over the Internet. The grant focuses on communication with Rhode Island’s localities, who often provide the first line of response to public emergencies. It includes extensive training of health workers, police, fire and rescue officials. The HAN also provides for the rapid dissemination of public health advisories to the media and the public at large.

Funding for the grant will commence immediately, on an annual cycle, with renewals for up to five years.

For speech or hearing impaired, 1-800-745-5555 (TTY)
Department of Health Website: www.health.state.ri.us