Slide 19 of 22
Notes:
Detection of Biological Agents
Detection of a biological attack:
a. Because of the incubation period, recognizing a biological agent attack or incident will be more difficult. It is more subtle than a chemical attack. As a first responder, you are not likely to arrive on a scene and see people lying around and exhibiting symptoms.
b. The first indications of a biological agent attack will probably originate with 9-1-1 operators, EMS personnel, or the medical community, especially the emergency departments in local hospitals. For example, if a series of calls to 9-1-1 for assistance reflects multiple individuals with high fever, and vomiting etc., a trained 9-1-1 operator may realize he or she is receiving multiple calls with patients displaying similar symptoms. Or suddenly all over town, individuals begin arriving at “prompt care” facilities, emergency rooms etc. again showing the same basic symptoms. These are both instances when response personnel should become suspicious.
Note: The science of investigating the incidence, distribution and control of diseases is called epidemiology.
