Bioterrorism: Recipe for Protection

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Bioterrorism Recipe for Protection

• Charlene Contreras, REHS
• Los Angeles County
• Environmental Health

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Terrorism

• Terrorism is the unlawful use of force against
  persons or property to intimidate or coerce a
  government, the civilian population, or any
  segment thereof, in furtherance of political or
  social objectives. -FBI

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Types of Forces

• Biological
• Nuclear
• Incendiary
• Chemical
• Explosive
• Radiological

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Types of Forces

• B
• N
• I
• C
• E
• R

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Why Biological Weapons?

• They are invisible, silent, odorless, and
  tasteless
• Widespread contamination is easy
• Create fear, terror, and panic in a population

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Why Food?

• Agriculture is a 200 billion business
• Provides 22 of all jobs in US
• Food and Agriculture is the nations largest
  business

From the National Agriculture Statistics Service.
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Agents used to contaminate food

• Bacteria
• Toxins
• Viruses
• Chemicals
• Physical Agents

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Intentional Contamination

• In 1984 The Dalles, Oregon

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Intentional Contamination

• In 1996 Dallas, Texas

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Intentional Contamination

• In 2003 Michigan

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What can the Food Operator Do?
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• Risk Management

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Operational Risk Management

• Effective use of resources
• Design preventive measures

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Operational Risk Management

• An approach similar to HACCP
• Identify critical control points
• Take proper safety measures

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Operational Risk Management

• Food Safety
• Food Security

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Operational Risk Management
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Operational Risk Management
1. Identify the Hazards
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1. Identify the Hazards
Food Flow Diagram
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1. Identify the Hazards

• Facility Security
• Hiring
• Personnel
• Food Security

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Operational Risk Management
1. Identify the Hazards
2. Assess the Risks
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2. Assess the Risks

• Probability
• Severity

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ASSESS THE RISK - Probability

• Frequent
• Likely
• Occasional
• Seldom
• Unlikely

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ASSESS THE RISK - Severity

• CATASTROPHIC
• CRITICAL
• MODERATE
• NEGLIGIBLE

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Step 2. Assess the Risk
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Operational Risk Management
1. Identify the Hazards
2. Assess the Risks
3. Analyze Risk Control Measures
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3. Analyze risk control measures

• Design for minimum risks
• Safety features
• Warning devices
• Develop procedures and training

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Operational Risk Management
1. Identify the Hazards
2. Assess the Risks
4. Make Control Decisions
3. Analyze Risk Control Measures
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4. Make Control Decisions

• Benefits vs. Risks
• Practical
• Fund availability

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Operational Risk Management
1. Identify the Hazards
5. Implement Risk Controls
2. Assess the Risks
4. Make Control Decisions
3. Analyze Risk Control Measures
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5. Implement Risk Controls

• Make it clear
• Establish accountability
• Promote support

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Operational Risk Management
1. Identify the Hazards
6. Supervise and Review
5. Implement Risk Controls
2. Assess the Risks
4. Make Control Decisions
3. Analyze Risk Control Measures
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All Clear
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What are Governmental Agencies Doing?

• New Legislation
• Surveillance
• Prevention
• Response
• Coordination and Communication

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New Legislation

• Bioterrorism Act of 2002 (BTA)
• Homeland Security Presidential Directive

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Coordination

• Inter-agency
• communication

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Coordination

• Food Emergency Response Network (FERN)

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Coordination

• Exercises

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Surveillance

• Electronic Laboratory Exchange Network (eLEXNET)

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Surveillance

• Syndromic Surveillance

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Prevention

• Food Security Guidance for Industry
• Operational Risk Management

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Response
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Conclusion