March Newsletter - 2004

Center Survey
We want to know what you think.  There are only 12 questions, it will take no more than five minutes, and you get our very big “thanks” in advance. Please click here.

Smallpox Initiative Update
Simulated television news broadcast to be taped soon. Read the full story.

Disaster Preparedness for Nurses and Public Health Professionals
Center members present to 400 attendees on professional disaster preparedness. Read the full story.

Mock Terror Event Training Exercise
A first of its kind event in Missouri designed to assess all facets of military and civilian preparedness for a bioterrorism event. Read the full story.

Chemical Pocket Cards
Quick reference cards to guide you in a chemical or radiological event. Read the full story.

Bioterrorism and the Law
A mock exercise in Michigan simulates the role the law will play in bioterrorism response. Read the full story.

Remembering SARS
As the first anniversary of the SARS outbreak passes, Dr. Alan Zelicoff discusses what lessons we have learned. Please click here.

Standing on the Stage of Terror - a Bioterrorism Media Conference Update
The Center is proud to announce that it will host Standing on the Stage of Terror: A Workshop on Dealing with the Media During a Crisis on June 17, 2004 at the Renaissance St. Louis Hotel Airport. Planning is continuing for this unique, invitation-only event focusing on how public health leaders and spokespersons can better respond to the media.  The date and location have been set, in addition to the participation of Hollywood actress Nancy Stafford as both a keynote speaker and moderator of the afternoon session.  Stay tuned for more information.

Syndrome Surveillance
A new program can gather data and locate a public health event in seconds. Read the full story.

Webquest
Using the Internet to educate families and the community about bioterrorism preparedness. Read the full story.

Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response from the CDC
In light of recent terrorist events, we'd like to remind our readers that the CDC has a Mass Trauma Preparedness and Response site (http://www.cdc.gov/masstrauma/default.htm) containing a wealth of information related to catastrophic event preparedness and response.  The site is designed to provide information and tools to help the public, professionals and clinicians prepare for and respond to mass trauma.

American Public Health Association
The Center is actively involved in research and presentation. Read the full story.

Pre and Post September 11th Risk Perceptions and Education Related to Bioterrorism: Results from Two National Public Health Professional Assessment Surveys
Researchers assessed risk perception among a broad national base of public health centers.  Surveys were sent to local and state public health departments, with a 37% return rate.  The results showed that while public health centers believe there is a high likelihood of a bioterrorism event, they do not believe their location will be the scene of such an attack.  Despite the belief that a bioterrorism event will not occur in their city, public health professionals still expressed a need for more information on how to effectively prepare for a bioterrorism event.  Professionals also identified a lack of dedicated training time and opportunities as barriers to receiving effective preparedness education.

Results from an Effective Table Top Exercise: Lessons for Public Health Professionals
Center professionals were asked to attend a program in Suffolk County, New York.  The program consisted of a series of tabletop exercises and scenarios for public health professionals to discuss and work through.  The exercise was designed to increase communication among public health departments, share resources and ideas and learn more about bioterrorism procedures.  Moreover, the template of this one-day program could provide a model for an effective tabletop exercise for program participants.  

Conferences and Events of Interest
International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases
CDC, February 29- March 3, 2004, Atlanta, Georgia
http://www.cdc.gov/iceid/index.htm

NACCHO Annual 2004 Conference (July 14-16)
http://www.naccho.org/files/documents/2004_naccho_annual.html

Satellite Broadcast: Epidemiology and the Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Hosted by CDC, March 4, 2004 12:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern
http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtnonline/

Satellite Broadcast: Epidemiology and the Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Hosted by CDC, March 11, 2004, 12:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern
http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtnonline/

Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases: Current and Emerging Issues
Continuing Education Hosted by University of Washington
March 12, 2004, Seattle WA.
http://depts.washington.edu/ehce/registration.html

2004 Public Health Professional Conference
Public Health Challenges Working Together for Our Future
May 16-20, 2004, Anchorage, Alaska
http://www.coausphsconference.org/

Satellite Broadcast: Mass Vaccination Clinics: A Reality Check
March 18, 2004, 9-10:30 a.m. PT
Hosted by California Distance Learning Health Network
http://www.cdlhn.com/create_frameset.cfm?id=2&CFID=44163&CFTOKEN=5154072

National Conference on the Science and Law of Combating Terrorism
October 21-23, 2004, Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.apha.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=event&eventid=342

Summer Institute of Public Health Practice: Public Health Preparedness: Tools for the Frontline
August 2-6, 2004, Seattle, WA.
http://www.apha.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=event&eventid=343

Infectious Disease Society of  America 2004 Annual Meeting
September 30 – October 3, 2004, Boston, MA.
http://www.idsociety.org/Template.cfm?Section=2004_Annual_Meeting&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=23&ContentID=7863

National Public Health Week April 5-11, 2004
http://www.apha.org/nphw/

New Resources
Medscape – New Public Health and Prevention Website
http://www.medscape.com/publichealthhome

Public Health Preparedness Toolkit II Clarification
Several of you contacted the Center for information regarding these training disks.  Currently, the project is not yet complete for public dissemination.  We apologize for any confusion in our last newsletter and will provide continued updates on when this project may be available to you.
Have a question or comment? Email us at bioterr@slu.edu

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