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Published on: October 3, 2016
The economic impact of a bioterrorist attack: are prevention and postattack intervention programs justifiable?
A F Kaufmann1, M I Meltzer, G P Schmid
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Abstract:
Understanding and quantifying the impact of a bioterrorist attack are essential in developing public health preparedness for such an attack. We constructed a model that compares the impact of three classic agents of biologic warfare (Bacillus anthracis, Brucella melitensis, and Francisella tularensis) when released as aerosols in the suburb of a major city. The model shows that the economic impact of a bioterrorist attack can range from an estimated $477.7 million per 100,000 persons exposed (brucellosis scenario) to $26.2 billion per 100,000 persons exposed (anthrax scenario). Rapid implementation of a postattack prophylaxis program is the single most important means of reducing these losses. By using an insurance analogy, our model provides economic justification for preparedness measures.
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