Prepared jointly by Dr. Cynthia Bowers, University Physician, and Bill Bean, Acting Chief of Police

While bio-terrorism has become very high profile in the media, it is important to remember that the risk of death from biological terrorism remains extremely low, about 1 in 140 million. Compared to the risks involved in normal daily activities, such as driving a car or participating in sports, this risk is negligible. However, in an attempt to respond to the concerns and questions, we present the following information.

Q. What is the university doing to help prevent terrorism on campus?

The Campus Police currently are on alert, which means that officers are being particularly vigilant with regard to certain kinds of activities and situations that might be associated with a terrorist threat, biological or otherwise. The patrol unit has increased its visibility in the core of the campus by diverting some of the normal foot and bike patrols from the perimeter and has increased the frequency of foot patrols through the residence halls. There also is heightened security at large public events on campus: staffing is being augmented, and a policy of bag checks for all attendees has been instituted.

Q. Will the university’s health care professionals be able to recognize the agents and effects of biological terrorism?

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has defined three categories of agents that could be used in terrorist attacks. Category A organisms are the highest priority because they can be easily disseminated or transferred from person to person, have high mortality rates and are certain to cause panic and social disruption. These agents include anthrax, botulism, plague and smallpox. The local medical community, including the UCSB Student Health clinicians, is familiar with the signs of all of these illnesses.

Q. Is the university prepared to respond to an incident of large-scale biological terrorism?

The kind of illness anticipated would require a response that is fairly typical of -- but on a larger scale than -- a standard public health response to a communicable disease. Our campus community has an infrastructure in place (via the programs of Student Health, the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Residential Life) to work under the direction of the County Public Health Service. This allows us to deploy necessary medical interventions in an efficient and timely manner.

Q. How would the university be alerted to a local incidence of biological terrorism?

For quite some time, we have had a "Sentinel Event Procedure" with the Cottage Health Systems Emergency Rooms. This procedure ensures that the Director of Student Health receives timely notification of medical events that require University intervention. The Director of Student Health is also on the list for immediate notification by the County Public Health Department of possible bioterrorism events. Both of these procedures would ensure immediate notification if a possible bioterrorism incident had occurred locally so that the campus could initiate appropriate action.

Q. Is the local community prepared to respond to biological terrorism?

In Santa Barbara County, the Public Health Department and Office of Emergency Services (OES) operate with state of the art baseline public health response plans in place. In addition, they have been working for more than a year to coordinate and enhance local bio/chemical terrorism preparedness. OES has convened a countywide Terrorist Workgroup comprised of law, fire and health officials as well as military and federal intelligence representatives to further these efforts. Specific response plans have been formulated. The Public Health Department is also actively involved in the State and Regional Bioterrorism Response Planning Groups, which have direct links to the Center for Disease Control and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). These two agencies, along with the FBI, would be responsible for managing small-scale incidents. Any university response to a bioterrorism event would be conducted under the direction of the Public Health Department.

Q. Has the university ever had to cope with a major public health incident?

Here at UCSB we have had several medical situations over the last few years, such as cases of meningococcal meningitis, that have required significant public health responses. These responses were similar to that which would occur in the event of a bioterrorist attack. UCSB is able to utilize already existing staff in Student Health, Student Affairs and Residential Life to help respond to such incidents. In the past, the infrastructure and emergency plans of UCSB have combined seamlessly with the Public Health Department procedures to initiate appropriate actions to help ensure the safety of our students.

Q. How does the university plan to use vaccines and antibiotic preventive measures?

Per the recommendations of the CDC and our local Public Health Department, there is no indication for mass immunization or antibiotic use. Vaccines for anthrax and smallpox are not available to the general public. Personal supplies of antibiotic for self-administration in the event of an attack are discouraged. In case of attack, the federal government has assembled a National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NPS) to supplement local and state resources. This stockpile has been distributed and positioned in secure regional warehouses ready for immediate deployment to the closest affected area within 12 hours of a federal decision to release NPS assets. As a local medical facility, the UCSB Student Health Service would have access to such supplies during a bioterrorism event.

Q. What do I do if I suspect a terrorist incident?

If on campus, call 9-911. If off campus, call 911.