How has Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) prepared for any possible bioterrorist attack in Mississippi?
Following the World Trade Center attacks, MSDH worked closely with hospital emergency rooms throughout the state, looking for clusters of sick patients which could indicate release of a biological agent. No evidence of bioterrorism has been found in Mississippi. To effectively release a biological agent takes technical sophistication. Experts say the probability of a large-scale bioterrorist attack is low. However, because the low risk exists, many federal, state, and local agencies including MSDH have been preparing for a possible attack for several years. In cooperation with Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and other public agencies, MSDH developed a surveillance plan for rapid detection and response to bioterrorism. As part of this plan, MSDH closely watches for evidence of release of a biological agent. All healthcare providers in Mississippi are required to watch for and promptly report any unusual disease clusters to the Department of Health. Additionally, surveilla
