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Decontamination During Human Biological Incidents

Decontamination During Human Biological Incidents. Presented by The Ohio Department of Health Disaster Preparedness & Response Program. Our Decontamination Focus. N uclear devices/material B iological weapons C hemical weapons. Potential List of Biological Agents. Anthrax (bacteria)

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Decontamination During Human Biological Incidents

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  1. Decontamination During Human Biological Incidents Presented by The Ohio Department of Health Disaster Preparedness & Response Program

  2. Our Decontamination Focus • Nuclear devices/material • Biological weapons • Chemical weapons

  3. Potential List of Biological Agents • Anthrax (bacteria) • Plague (bacteria) • Smallpox (virus) • Ebola/Other Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (virus) • Ricin (toxin) • Botulinum (toxin)

  4. About Biologicals • Biological incidents involve bacteria, viruses and toxins • Detection monitors are currently unavailable • Most likely dispersed as aerosols with simple technologies: • Yard sprayers • A plane or boat upwind • Might be delivered by oral ingestion

  5. About Biologicals • Routes of entry • Deliberate incident is usually through inhalation & ingestion • Infectious versus communicable • Usually have an incubation period

  6. Decon/Infection Control • Decon: The process of removing or neutralizing an external hazard from a person, the property or the environment. • Disinfection: Selective elimination of undesirable microorganisms to prevent their transmission (or removal of infectious organisms below necessary level to cause infection). • Sterilization: Complete killing of all organisms.

  7. Decontamination after Biological Release • Material • often unnecessary • less relevant than for chemical attack • 5.0% bleach more than adequate • 0.1% bleach kills anthrax spores • People • decon rarely needed • less relevant than for chemical attack • soap and water

  8. Key Points • Biological decon is different from chemical decon • People can be injured by inappropriate decon: • Physical harm • Psychological harm

  9. DecontaminationChecklist • What are we decontaminating? • Which decon are we using - biological or chemical? • Is decontamination possible? • Who needs decontamination? • What level of protection is needed for those in area? • for the responders?

  10. Decon • Removes but does not necessarily neutralize an agent • Decon cannot kill or render an infectious disease harmless ina human

  11. Bio Decon 1. Immediately wash exposed skin with soap and water 2. Remove clothes and bag for evidence 3. Soap and water shower Steps 2 and 3 can be done at home

  12. Why Showering is Enough • Agent does not re-aerosolize • Agent must be “device driven” for effectiveness • Intact skin is THE best protection • Agent already captured in lungs, gastrointestinal tract, or open wounds

  13. The Use of Chemicals in Bio Decon • Disinfectants (chemicals) can make agent harmless with time and contact (e.g. bleach or hypochlorite solution) • Not recommended for decon of people • Surfaces and equipment - YES • People - NO

  14. Ohio Guidelines Weapons of Mass Destruction Bioterrorism Protocol PROCEDURES FOR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL PERSONNEL AND AGENCIES

  15. Bioterrorism • There are a number of things which make this type of incident different from others • Non-traditional responders involved • The incident is a crime scene

  16. Local Dispatch & 911 Centers • Initial dispatch call should include: • EMA • Fire/EMS • Law enforcement • Hospitals • Secondary notification should include: • FBI • Local health department

  17. Locally EMA EMS Fire Health Dept Hospital Law Enforcement Poison Control State & Federal CDC EMA FBI OSP State Dept Of Health USPHS Agencies Involved

  18. Detection of Covert Biological Attacks • Medical community response • Epidemiology and public health response • Calls to 9-1-1 & EMS response

  19. Covert Incident Will be Hard to Recognize • Symptoms resemble other sicknesses • May not surface for 3 or 4 days • Physicians may not be familiar with symptoms • Mortality will be expected • Lab analysis must be expedited in any case

  20. Questions? • Review Points: • Biological and chemical decontamination procedures are different • WATER ONLY, please • People can be injured by inappropriate decon • The Ohio Guidelines provide procedures for dealing with biological incidents

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