Bioterrorism

 

What Ionia Citizens Need to Know..... 

With increasing concerns over future terrorist attacks on the United States, it has become very important for Americans to prepare for these situations. Rest assured, if terrorism strikes Ionia County, local governmental agencies and disaster-relief organizations will be there to help you.

In many ways, bioterrorist acts are similar to natural disasters, and while you cannot predict when an event may occur, you can take certain steps to be better prepared. Keeping calm and using common sense are always your best defense. Public health officials are not recommending that people seek vaccination against anthrax or smallpox or stock up on antibiotics.

In the event of a bioterrorism incident in the county, Ionia County's public safety and health officials are prepared to quickly respond to protect you and your family. The County, in collaboration with state and federal health and public safety agencies, is actively engaged in public health emergency preparedness and response activities. Be assured that while bioterrorism in our country is a recent threat, protecting the public from this threat requires the same skills and knowledge public health workers routinely use.

More about Bioterrorism

Emergency Preparedness

 

 

 Terrorism Agents and Threats

If you believe that you have been exposed to a biological or chemical agent, or if you believe an international biological threat will occur or is occuring, please contact the Ionia County Health Department at (616) 527-5341 and/or your local police or other law enforcement agency.

BIOLOGICAL THREATS

                                 Anthrax                      Botulism

                                 Plague                       Q Fever

                                 Ricin                          Smallpox

                                 Tularemia             Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers 

           MORE...           

CHEMICAL THREATS

                                 Cyanide                     Lewisite

                                 Sarin                         Soman

                                 Sulfur Mustard           Tabun

                                  VX                           MORE...

RADIOLOGICAL

                                 Basic Information      Dirty Bombs

                                 Shelter-in-Place        MORE INFORMATION...

FOOD SAFETY