Bioterrorism Information

The possibility of smallpox, anthrax or other biological agents being used by terrorists against Americans, including residents of Marin County, is a cause for concern by all. To date, there have been no credible threats in California. There have been no new cases of smallpox in ther US since 1949 or anywhere in the world since 1977. There are no new cases of smallpox or human anthrax.

Marin County has a well-coordinated and practiced approach to responding to a wide range of emergencies and disasters in place. Building upon this response framework, the County is working to ensure that it is prepared to recognize and respond to biological or chemical terrorism threats to our community. Over the last year, we have been working closely with our partners, including public health and safety professionals, physicians, hospital staff, health care providers, pharmacists, law enforcement, fire and paramedic services. At the local, state and federal levels, governments have worked to improve the established disaster preparedness system with further training, coordination, and readiness plans. While improbable events can always happen, we are more prepared for the unexpected than ever before.

As part of the national smallpox vaccination program under the direction of the Centers for Disease Control and the federal Department of Health Services, Marin County is preparing to vaccinate our teams of public health and hospital workers against smallpox. This vaccination plan is totally voluntary for individual members of the public health and hospital response teams. Smallpox vaccinations are not recommended for the general public at this time.

The purpose of this Marin County Health and Human Services web site is to provide accurate and timely information about the prevention and control of biological and other threats to the residents of Marin. Consequently, this site will be updated as new information becomes available. Follow the links below to get additional information.

The following sections will:

• Provide responses to Frequently Asked Questions
• Guide residents of Marin on what they can do to be prepared
• Present selected web sites that provide further information in English and Spanish.
• Provide information for physicians:  Bioterrorism Primer
• Provide information on Marin's Smallpox Vaccination Plan:  Smallpox Vaccination Plan