What to do before and during a biological threat: Ready.gov’s checklist

A biological attack or accident may not announce itself. The first sign may be people noticing symptoms of illness. Ready.gov explains what a biohazard exposure is and what to do about it.

What the threat is

Biological agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or disable people, livestock and crops. An event can be accidental or intentional, and either can make you sick. There are three basic groups: bacteria, viruses and toxins. They spread in several ways: sprayed into the air, passed from person to person, carried by infected animals that then interact with people, or through contaminated food and water.

Before

An exposure may not be obvious at first. Usually local health care workers will report a pattern of unusual illness, or a wave of sick people will seek emergency care. You would hear through an emergency radio or TV broadcast, a phone call or a visit from an emergency response worker. To prepare:

• Build an emergency supply kit and make a family emergency plan.
• Check with your doctor that everyone in the family has up-to-date immunizations.
• Consider a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter in your furnace return duct, which filters out most biological agents that might enter the house.

Image from Ready.gov’s page on biohazard exposure.

During

The first sign may be people noticing symptoms. Officials may not be able to say right away what you should do, since it takes time to work out what the illness is, how to treat it and who is at risk. Watch TV, listen to the radio or check the internet for official information on:

• the signs and symptoms of the disease,
• the areas in danger,
• whether medicines or vaccines are being handed out, and
• where to seek medical care if you become ill.

Then act:

• Get away quickly if you notice a suspicious substance.
• Cover your mouth and nose with layers of fabric that filter air but let you breathe, such as two to three layers of cotton like a T-shirt, handkerchief or towel. Depending on the situation, wear a face mask.
• If you may have been exposed, remove your clothes and personal items and bag them, and follow official instructions for disposing of them. Wash with soap and water and put on clean clothes.
• Contact authorities and seek medical help. You may be told to stay away from others or to quarantine, and if your symptoms match those described and you are in an at-risk group, get emergency care right away.
• Follow the instructions of doctors and public health officials, avoid crowds, wash your hands often and do not share food or utensils.

Sources

• Ready.gov, “Biohazard Exposure” (https://www.ready.gov/biohazard); rewritten in hubnx's own words.