Our goal is to protect the families of our county before, during, and after any public health emergency.

• Tornadoes and floods
• Disease outbreaks i.e. Pandemic influenza & West Nile
• Hazardous material spills or releases
• Nuclear accidents or attacks
• Bio-terrorist events

Our action plans coordinate efforts with healthcare providers, hospitals, EMS, emergency responders, and law enforcement to prepare for the unexpected. All organizations train together during disaster drills and discuss strategies at situational table top exercises.

What is Bio-Terrorism?
The intentional release of a virus, bacteria, or toxin upon a population for the purpose of causing illness or death.

What can be done In An Emergency
If you believe that you have been exposed to a biological or chemical agent, or if you believe an intentional biological threat will occur or is occurring, please contact your local police or other law enforcement agency and/or your local health department.

The Bureau and Putnam County Health Departments work cooperatively with state and local agencies to coordinate our response to an emergency event. We focus on a basic overall emergency plan, which includes but isn't limited to terrorism. Preventing a terrorism event is the job of law enforcement - The FBI, state and local police, and other law enforcement agencies.

The Bureau and Putnam County Heath Department is part of an 8 county Public Health Bio-Terrorism preparedness Region. The Illinois Department of Public Health has employed an Emergency Response Coordinator for this Region to provide us assistance in our planning.

If an attack should occur, the Bureau and Putnam County Health Department together with other federal, state, and local emergency responder agencies have plans in place to minimize the risk and treat those who may become ill.

Some Biological Agents
Anthrax
Botulism
Smallpox
Tularemia
Viral hemorrhagic fevers
Plague

What is Pandemic Influenza?
Pandemic influenza or pandemic flu is a worldwide outbreak of flu in people. Pandemic flu is caused by a new flu virus to which humans have no immunity. The flu virus that causes a pandemic can spread easily from person to person and may cause large numbers of people to get sick and die. Currently, there is no flu pandemic. Read more...

SNS
We have detailed action plans outlining procedures to requisition, receive, and dispense medications to our counties’ population by way of the Strategic National Stockpile. We have sites set up for mass prophylaxis and agreements with local partners to aid in our dispensing.

Links
• CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Illinois Department of Public Health Bioterrorism Preparedness
• Illinois Emergency Management Agency
• Illinois Homeland Security
• U. S. Department of Homeland Security
• U. S. Food & Drug Administration Counter terrorism
• United States Department of Health & Human Services Disasters and Emergencies
• United States Department of Justice