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A population survey--would Australian general practice be the first point of contact during an anthrax bioterrorism
David N Durrheim1, Reinhold Muller, Vicki L Saunders
1Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle University, New South Wales and James Cook University, Queensland. david.durrheim@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Background:
Anthrax bioterrorism is a new threat to Australians. How they would respond to an anthrax bioterrorism event is unknown.
Method:
A national telephone survey of Australian adults.
Results:
We successfully interviewed 1001 Australian adults (response rate 63%). The threat of anthrax bioterrorism was of medium to high concern to 57% of survey participants. In the event of an anthrax bioterrorism event, the first point of care would be GPs for 60% of survey participants, and 71% were confident in their doctor's ability to recognise anthrax. Most would accept vaccination if anthrax bioterrorism cases were reported locally, or even elsewhere in Australia.
Discussion:
Australian GPs should be included in any bioterrorism planning to respond to such threats.
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