Volume 9, Number 5—May 2003
Perspective
Planning against Biological Terrorism: Lessons from Outbreak Investigations
David A. Ashford*
, Robyn M. Kaiser*, Michael E. Bales*, Kathleen Shutt*, Amee Patrawalla*, Andre McShan*, Jordan W. Tappero*, Bradley A. Perkins*, and Andrew L. Dannenberg*
, Robyn M. Kaiser*, Michael E. Bales*, Kathleen Shutt*, Amee Patrawalla*, Andre McShan*, Jordan W. Tappero*, Bradley A. Perkins*, and Andrew L. Dannenberg*
Table 1
Epidemic Intelligence Service field investigations involving unknown agents and potential agents of bioterrorism, 1988–1999
| Agent | Frequency | % of investigations (n = 1,099) |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown infectious agenta |
41 |
3.7 |
| Vibrio choleresis |
18 |
1.6 |
| Yersinia pestis |
11 |
1.0 |
| Viral hemorrhagic fever virus |
7 |
0.6 |
| Bacillus anthracis |
3 |
0.3 |
| Clostridium botulinum |
3 |
0.3 |
| Coxiella burnetii |
1 |
0.1 |
| Francisella tularensis |
1 |
0.1 |
| Total | 85 | 7.7 |
aIn these cases, the outbreak was considered to be caused by an infectious agent because of the characteristics of the illness and outbreak.
Page created: December 08, 2010
Page updated: December 08, 2010
Page reviewed: December 08, 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.