"... to best protect the public, the prepardness efforts must be focused on agents that might have the greatest impact on the U.S. health and security, especially agents that are highly contagious or that can be engineered for widespread dissemination via small-particle aerosols,"

1. Enhance epidemiologic capacity to detect and respond to biological attacks.
2. Integrate public health agencies and hospitals into emergency response planning.
3. Support the development of local and state diagnostic tests.
4. Establish communication programs to ensure delivery of accurate information.
5. Enhance bio-terrorism related materials to inform and reassure the public after bio-attack.
6. Prepare, distribute, and stockpile appropriate vaccines and drugs.
7. Establish molecular surveillance for unusual or drug-resistant microbial strains.
8. Obtain appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE) for First Response Personnel, Paramedic Teams, and Hospital Emergency Room Staffs; practice decontamination and disposal.

[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Biological and Chemical Terrorism: Strategic Plan for Preparedness," in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, April 21, 2000.]