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Volume 3, Number 2—June 1997
Perspective

The Economic Impact of a Bioterrorist Attack: Are Prevention and Postattack Intervention Programs Justifiable?

Arnold F. Kaufmann, Martin I. MeltzerComments to Author , and George P. Schmid
Author affiliations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Main Article

Table 6

Potential factors affecting the economic impact of a bioterrorist attack

Potential impact on Factor Relative magnitude net savings of impact
Higher than projected case-fatality rate Increase ++++
Long term illness (physical and psychological) Increase ++
Decontamination and disposal of biohazardous waste Increase ++
Disruptions in commerce (local, national, and international) Increase ++
Animal illness and death Increase +
Lower than projected effectiveness of prophylaxis Decrease - - -
Adverse drug reactions due to prophylaxis Decrease -
Postattack prophylaxis distribution costs, including crowd control and security Decrease -
Training and other skill maintenance costs Decrease -
Procurement and storage of antimicrobial drugs and vaccines before attack Decrease -
Criminal investigations and court costs Variable +/-

Main Article

Page created: December 21, 2010
Page updated: December 21, 2010
Page reviewed: December 21, 2010
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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