PubMed · 16012165
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Mary K Campuzano. Make that future tense.. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.24.4.1185
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
BACKGROUND: A bioterrorist release of smallpox is a constant threat to the population of the USA and other countries. DESIGN: A stochastic simulation model of the spread of smallpox due to a large bioterrorist attack in a structured population was constructed. Disease natural history parameter estimates, time lines of behavioral activities, and control scenarios were based on the literature and on the consensus opinion of a panel of smallpox experts. RESULTS: The authors found that surveillance and containment, i.e., isolation of known cases and vaccination of their close contacts, would be sufficient to effectively contain a large intentional smallpox release. Given that surveillance and containment measures are in place, preemptive vaccination of hospital workers would further reduce the number of smallpox cases and deaths but would require large numbers of prevaccinations. High levels of reactive mass vaccination after the outbreak begins would further reduce smallpox cases and deaths to a minimum, but would require even larger numbers of vaccinations. Reactive closure of schools would have a minimal effect. CONCLUSION: A rapid and well-organized response to a bioterrorist attack would be necessary for effective surveillance and containment to control spread. Preemptive vaccination of hospital workers and reactive vaccination of the target population would further limit spread, but at a cost of many more vaccinated. This cost in resources and potential harm due to vaccination will have to be weighed against the potential benefits should an attack occur. Prevaccination of the general population is not necessary.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
After months of work and millions of dollars awarded to state and local governments, U.S. hospitals are still less than ready to face a pandemic or bioterrorism-related emergency, according to disease experts. But it's difficult to be completely prepared for such an event, they say. "You don't know when it's going to come, where it will be, whether you'll have medicines to fight it," says Tammy Lundstrom, left.