The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has played an important role in mitigating attacks by performing the initial identification of infected material and advising on and participating in the decontamination process. The DOD Biodefense Program and similar defense programs have long involved research and a focus on combating the use of biological and chemical weapons. However, given the history and experience of defense-related programs in developing countermeasures and planning future research in this area, Bioterror: Anthrax, Influenza, and the Future of Public Health Security by R. William Johnstone (2008 ), provides analysis to prepare for attacks based on past, present and future events in America. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Throughout history, various regulatory agencies have been prepared to handle acts of bioterrorism. However, considering the subsequent 2001 anthrax attack via US mail, the 2001 anthrax attacks starkly demonstrated the vulnerability of the United States to bioterrorism. Even with the warnings from experts and the years of funding and preparation for the anthrax attacks. Thanks to the extensive research and development that scientists and doctors have done in treatment, prevention and diagnosis, medical countermeasures have been established, but further discoveries that improve national defense are needed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been assigned by the Department of Health and Human Services will have to be ready for the national public system to provide a response to a bioterrorism attack. To improve state and local preparedness, the CDC has funded cooperative agreements with each state and various municipalities that have emphasized preparedness efforts. In the early years of this program, five essential areas were focused: organization of preparedness and evaluation of preparedness; expertise in testing and epidemiology; biological laboratory capacity; chemical laboratory skills; and health surveillance system and information technology. Building on lessons from the previous anthrax attack, more resources and focus areas were included: health risk communication and health data distribution; education and training. Bioterrorist attacks can occur in one of the following scenarios, i.e. overt and covert. Because we lack the capacity in the United States to undertake real-time surveillance of a biological attack firing, an announced, covert firing of a biological agent may remain unidentified for some time, with exposed individuals leaving the scene much sooner of the biological attack. act of terror is evident. Because of an incubation phase, the first indication that a biological agent has been released may not become apparent or known until weeks later, when people begin to become seriously ill and require medical attention. Therefore, the first responders to a covert bioterrorist act will possibly be the intelligent clinician, laboratorian, or public health worker who knows the index case or recognizes the responsible etiological agent (Khan, 2011). Because of their training in terrorist attacks, ordinary first responders, such as law enforcement personnel, firefighters, or hazardous materials personnel, are the people most likely to act in response to the announced overt release of biological agents or, very probably, to a deception. Keep in mind: This is just an example. Get a personalized document now.