TY - JOUR
T1 - Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response in Poland
T2 - Prevention, Surveillance, and Mitigation Planning
AU - Goniewicz, Krzysztof
AU - Osiak, Beata
AU - Pawłowski, Witold
AU - Czerski, Robert
AU - Burkle, Frederick M.
AU - Lasota, Dorota
AU - Goniewicz, Mariusz
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.
PY - 2021/12/8
Y1 - 2021/12/8
N2 - Objectives: Biological weapons are one of the oldest weapons of mass destruction used by man. Their use has not only determined the outcome of battles, but also influenced the fate of entire civilizations. Although the use of biological weapons agents in a terrorist attack is currently unlikely, all services responsible for the surveillance and removal of epidemiological threats must have clear guidelines and emergency response plans. Methods: In the face of the numerous threats appearing in the world, it has become necessary to put the main emphasis on modernizing, securing, and maintaining structures in the field of medicine which are prepared for unforeseen crises and situations related to the use of biological agents. Results: This article presents Poland's current preparation to take action in the event of a bioterrorist threat. The study presents both the military aspect and procedures for dealing with contamination. Conclusions: In Poland, as in other European Union countries fighting terrorism, preparations should be made to defend against biological attacks, improve the flow of information on the European security system, strengthen research centers, train staff, create observation units and vaccination centers, as well as prepare hospitals for the hospitalization of patients - potential victims of bioterrorist attacks.
AB - Objectives: Biological weapons are one of the oldest weapons of mass destruction used by man. Their use has not only determined the outcome of battles, but also influenced the fate of entire civilizations. Although the use of biological weapons agents in a terrorist attack is currently unlikely, all services responsible for the surveillance and removal of epidemiological threats must have clear guidelines and emergency response plans. Methods: In the face of the numerous threats appearing in the world, it has become necessary to put the main emphasis on modernizing, securing, and maintaining structures in the field of medicine which are prepared for unforeseen crises and situations related to the use of biological agents. Results: This article presents Poland's current preparation to take action in the event of a bioterrorist threat. The study presents both the military aspect and procedures for dealing with contamination. Conclusions: In Poland, as in other European Union countries fighting terrorism, preparations should be made to defend against biological attacks, improve the flow of information on the European security system, strengthen research centers, train staff, create observation units and vaccination centers, as well as prepare hospitals for the hospitalization of patients - potential victims of bioterrorist attacks.
KW - Biological threats detection
KW - Biological weapon
KW - Bioterrorism
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088580530&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85088580530&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/dmp.2020.97
DO - 10.1017/dmp.2020.97
M3 - Article
C2 - 32635956
AN - SCOPUS:85088580530
SN - 1935-7893
VL - 15
SP - 697
EP - 702
JO - Disaster medicine and public health preparedness
JF - Disaster medicine and public health preparedness
IS - 6
ER -