Bioterrorism is the use of viruses, bacteria, fungi, or toxins to produce death or disease for ideological, political, or financial gain. Clay County is considered low risk for a bioterrorism attack, but there would be severe consequences if an event did occur.

Public health nurses in North Carolina in cooperation with private health care providers, state epidemiologists, labs and the Division of Health and Human Services are training and working together to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. With that experience and knowledge it makes sense that they are our first line of defense against potential biological threats.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the highest priority agents (causing smallpox, anthrax, plague, botulism, and tularemia) can pose an immediate risk because they are easily disseminated or transmitted; cause high mortality; may cause public panic; or require other special action. The lower priority agents (causing brucellosis, encephalitis, typhus fever, toxic syndromes, and others) are more likely to be future threats and are also considered in planning and preparedness efforts.

The North Carolina Homeland Security Threat Level Procedures developed by the U.S. Department of Home Security contain recommended actions for critical facilities, government agencies, and citizens during a disaster.

VISIT HOMELAND SECURITY FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR EACH LEVEL OF THREAT AND THE PRECAUTIONS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN BY YOUR FAMILY .

Stragic National Stockpile of Medical Supplies - A terrorism attack or natural disaster may require rapid access to large quantities of medicine and medical supplies. During an emergency, medical supplies may be depleted quickly. Because few state or local governments have the resources to create large medical stockpiles on their own, the Federal government created the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

The SNS has pre-stocked caches of pharmaceuticals, antidotes, and medical supplies designed to provide rapid delivery in response to events when little or no information is known about the disease or cause of the event. The SNS will supplement and re-supply state and local public health agencies anywhere and at any time within the U.S. or its territories. Once the supplies arrive in the state, public health officials have the responsibility of distributing them to the affected public.