Media Advisory

Public Health Grand Rounds: Bioterrorism

Lisa Katz: UNC, School of Public Health

WHO:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health and the CDC

WHAT:

Debut national live interactive broadcast "Public Health Grand Rounds." First program in the series: Bioterrorism

WHERE:

Broadcast from CDC Atlanta to more than 300 sites in 46 states (Free registration for the program is available online at http://www.PublicHealthGrandRounds.unc.edu)

WHEN:

Friday, June 11, at 2 p.m.

Background

• Dr. William L. Roper, dean, UNC, Chapel Hill, School of Public Health and Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan, director, CDC will lead the dialogue.
• Professionals from local and state health departments, hospitals, clinics, emergency management services and managed care organizations will participate through live interactive satellite broadcasts.
• Continuing education credit will be offered for various professions based on 60 minutes of instruction. Program materials are available on the web site: http://www.PublicHealthGrandRounds.unc.edu
• Bioterroism and Public Health: Unlike explosions or chemical releases, a bioterrorist attack could be done silently, and thus would be difficult to detect. Symptoms might not occur among victims for days or weeks, and those initially presenting themselves to physicians and clinics would not all be in one place. A strong public health network would be needed to piece together early reports and determine quickly what had happened. And once detected, the situation could overwhelm traditional local health systems. CDC's role is not law enforcement, first medical response or threat assessment. The nation must improve the public health network to detect and respond to a possible bioterrorist attack. This first program of the Public Health Grand Rounds helps provide leadership and guidance to local communities on understanding the need for and developing the local response to these threats.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES