Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
08:53
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 2. General Practices
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.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Quantifying the economic impact of bioterrorism is crucial for public health preparedness. A model comparing Bacillus anthracis, Brucella melitensis, and Francisella tularensis showed rapid prophylaxis significantly reduces losses.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Biosecurity
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Bioterrorist attacks pose significant public health and economic threats.
- Effective preparedness requires understanding and quantifying the potential impact of biological warfare agents.
- Classic agents like Bacillus anthracis, Brucella melitensis, and Francisella tularensis are of particular concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model and compare the economic impact of aerosolized Bacillus anthracis, Brucella melitensis, and Francisella tularensis releases in a major city suburb.
- To identify key factors influencing the economic consequences of bioterrorism.
- To provide economic justification for public health preparedness measures.
Main Methods:
- Development of a comparative economic impact model for bioterrorism scenarios.
- Simulation of aerosolized releases of three specific biologic warfare agents.
- Analysis of economic losses based on estimated exposure and disease scenarios.
Main Results:
- Economic impact varied significantly by agent, ranging from $477.7 million (brucellosis) to $26.2 billion (anthrax) per 100,000 persons exposed.
- The model demonstrated substantial economic losses associated with bioterrorist attacks.
- Rapid post-attack prophylaxis was identified as the most critical factor in mitigating economic losses.
Conclusions:
- Bioterrorism preparedness is essential to mitigate severe economic consequences.
- Economic modeling provides a framework for justifying investments in public health security.
- Timely implementation of medical countermeasures, such as prophylaxis, is paramount in reducing the financial burden of bioterrorist events.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Infection
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
01:24Smallpox
Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.