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In the fall of 2003, the Division of Public Health’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response conducted a survey to find out what our state’s residents are most concerned about regarding bioterrorism and other catastrophic public health events. The overwhelming answer was that North Carolinians feel that there is little or nothing they can do to protect themselves and their families from such disasters. This is not true.
Although the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent anthrax crisis were devastating, it is important to recognize that the same public health system that has successfully protected our health from naturally occurring diseases for more than 120 years also works well to defend against bioterrorism or other man-made health threats.
The fact is that after three years of reinvestment and the creation of new partnerships with law enforcement, agriculture, first responders, the medical community and others, our public health system — composed of the state and local health departments — is better able to handle health crises today than at any other time in our history.
In addition, there are many things that you, as individuals, can do to help protect yourselves, your families, and your communities. As you read this publication you will see that preparing to respond to an intentional act of bioterrorism or a disease outbreak is very similar to preparing for a hurricane or other natural disasters.
Our ability to respond and to limit preventable sickness and death will be directly related to how well prepared each of us is. We should no longer be asking the question, “Is there nothing I can do?” but rather, “Am I prepared?” This guide is intended to serve as a tool so that every person in North Carolina can answer that question with a resounding “Yes.”
Sincerely,
Leah Devlin, DDS, MPH
State Health Director
The Rutherford Polk McDowell District Health Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.
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