Bioterrorism Response and Public Health Patricia Bolivar CLS, MS - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Bioterrorism Response and Public Health

Patricia Bolivar CLS, MS pbolivar@ph.lacounty.gov Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health Public Health Laboratory BTRU Supervisor and PI

Objectives

• Provide an overview of the Bioterrorism Response Unit (BTRU) and

the associated multidisciplinary team

• Describe role of the BTRU laboratory and duties as a public health

microbiologist

• Describe the functions of the BTRU
• Describe the BTRU Scientist interaction with law enforcement

agencies, and other public health professionals

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What is Education?

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~Nelson Mandela

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Educational Background

• AS Electron Microscopy - ELAC
• BS Clinical Laboratory Science

Microbiology/Biochemistry - CSULA

• CLS Board Certified ASCP/NCA - Internship at Centinela

Hospital

• MS Forensic Science : Criminalistics – CSULA
• Public Health Microbiology Certification at LAC-PHL
• PhD Candidate Public Health: Epidemiology – Walden U

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Work Experience

2010-present BTRU PI and Alternate Responsible Official LAC-PHL 2006-present BTRU Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor LAC-PHL 2005-2006 Public Health Microbiologist I /CLS Micro Consultant LAC-PHL/ELADH/Santa Teresita Hospital 2003-2005 Special Health Officer/Scientist CDC-BioWatch 1989-2003 CLS Microbiology Supervisor ELADH 1986-1989 CLS Generalist Centinela Hospital

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Bioterrorism is …

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Biosafety and Biosecurirty

• Provides guidance in:

1. Use of safe and secure workplace 2. Appropriate protective equipment

• Engineering and administrative controls in:

1. Handling of pathogenic organisms 2. During transportation 3. Field investigations 4. Vaccine manufacturing facilities

• Protect workers, the environment and the community from

exposure, infection, and subsequent development of disease.

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Public Health our mission: "To protect health, prevent disease, and promote well-being" …and be part of the First Responders team in a BT event

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Laboratory professionals play a critical role in a BT incident

• Clinical samples and sentinel

laboratory isolates to rule in/ out select agents and toxins

• Animal samples: cats, dogs, squirrels,

rats… ex: surveillance of plague

• Environmental : food, water, powders,

air …

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The Role of Public Health/ BTRU: Being prepared

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• Education of medical community
• Education of public
• Training of special response teams
• Participation in exercises for different

scenarios

• Development of communication systems
• Development of interagency protocols

Goals of Public Health and Law Enforcement

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• To protect the public
• To prevent or stop the spread of disease
• To identify those responsible for a threat or an attack
• To protect their respective employees during their

response and investigations

Coordinating agency: CDC Department of Health and Human Services

• National Policy on a Biological incident

Cooperating agencies: – Department of Agriculture – Department of Commerce – Department of Defense – Department of Energy – Department of Homeland Security – Department of Justice – Department of Transportation – U.S. Postal Service – Environmental Protection Agency – American Red Cross

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