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Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response in Poland: Prevention, Surveillance, and Mitigation Planning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2020

Krzysztof Goniewicz Open the ORCID record for Krzysztof Goniewicz [Opens in a new window] ,
Beata Osiak ,
Witold Pawłowski ,
Robert Czerski ,
Frederick M. Burkle Jr ,
Dorota Lasota  and
Mariusz Goniewicz
Krzysztof Goniewicz*
Affiliation:
Department of Aviation Security, Military University of Aviation, 08-521Dęblin, Poland
Beata Osiak
Affiliation:
Department of Aviation Security, Military University of Aviation, 08-521Dęblin, Poland
Witold Pawłowski
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059, Lublin, Poland
Robert Czerski
Affiliation:
Department of Aviation Security, Military University of Aviation, 08-521Dęblin, Poland
Frederick M. Burkle Jr
Affiliation:
Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
Dorota Lasota
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Mariusz Goniewicz
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059, Lublin, Poland
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Krzysztof Goniewicz, Department of Aviation Security, Military University of Aviation, Dywizjonu 303 street, no 35, post code: 08-521Dęblin, Poland (e-mail: k.goniewicz@law.mil.pl).
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

biological threats detectionbiological weaponbioterrorism
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 15 , Issue 6 , December 2021 , pp. 697 - 702
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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