Since bioterrorism has become reality after its occurrence in USA, our goverment is preparing and conducting strategic plans for preparedness and response to bioterrorism. The major plans consist of reinforcement of surveillance of notifiable
communicable diseases, construction of supplementary surveillance systems, organization of emergency department and infection specialists networks, strengthening of laboratory capacity and network, and establishment of a stepwise response plan
according
to risk assessment. For the preparedness for bioterrorism, we are preparing a national pharamaceutical stockpile (antibiotics, smallpox vaccine, etc) and strengthening the organization, law, epidemiologic capacity, research, and management of
critical
infectious agents. It is very difficult to predict the risk of bioterrorism, which may be very low. Nevertheless, the complete preparedness is necessary to prevent social confusion by bioterrorism. Especially, phisician’s role in response to
bioterrorism such as case detection, report, management, and treatment is very important.
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