definitions & quick reference

General Definitions

Public Health: What we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy.

Emergency Services: Trained personel with disciplines in law enforcement, fire protection, emergency management and/or medical care that provide those services to the general population.

Terrorism: The use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof to further political or social objectives.

Agents

Biological:
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) - very stable spores can attack the human lung through airborne particles(pulmonary), or the skin through direct contact (cutaneous). Attacks are possible but require sophisticated techniques to manufacture.

West Nile - This is a vector spread disease spread through insects to birds and humans.

Small Pox (Variola major) - this is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease, spread by inhalation or direct contact with fluid from the rash. The last case was diagnosed in 1981 after an international effort to erradicate it. One diagnosed case would be considered a terrorist attack.

Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin) - an extremely potent neurotoxin that is usually a foodborne toxin, but can be develop in open wounds.

Plague (Yersinia pestis) - found in rodents and the fleas that infect them, this pneumonic plague occurs when the lungs are infected and is spread person to person by air transmission.

Salmonella - Food safety threat, spread to humans through ingestion of food contaminated by micro-organisms.

Chemical:
Sarin (gas) - Nerve Agent - spread by release into the air, symptoms vary by quanity of exposure from mild difficulty breathing to unconsciousness and convulsions.

Mustard (gas) - Blistering agent - spread by release in an area, symptoms involve an asymptomatic time (hours) followed by blistering of the skin and eyes, airway difficulty and gastrointestinal effects.

Cyanide - Blood Agent- With high doses symptoms can involve seizures, respiratory and cardiac arrest.

Contact Information

Water Contamination - NH Water Supply and pollution control 271-3503, and your town health officer.

Air Contamination - NH Department of Environmental Services 271-6284, and your town health officer.

Food Contamination - NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of food protection 271-4589, and your town health officer.