The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has played a major role in mitigating the attacks by performing the initial identification of infectious material and advising and participating in the decontamination process. The DOD Biological Defense Program and similar defense programs have a long history of involving research and focusing on countering the application of biological and chemical weapons. However, given the history as well as the experience of defense associated programs in developing countermeasures and planning future research in this area, Bioterror: Anthrax, Influenza, and the Future of Public Health Security by R. William Johnstone (2008). ), provides analysis to prepare for attacks based on past, present and future events in America. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Throughout history, various regulatory agencies have been prepared to deal with acts of bioterrorism. Nonetheless, considering the subsequent 2001 anthrax attack via U.S. mail, the 2001 anthrax attacks blatantly demonstrated the United States' vulnerability to bioterrorism. Even with warnings from experts and years of funding and preparation for the anthrax attacks. Due to the extensive research and development carried out by scientists and doctors in treatment, prevention and diagnosis, medical countermeasures have been established, but further discoveries that can strengthen national defense are needed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been designated by the Department of Health and Human Services to be prepared for the nation's public system to provide a response to a bioterrorism attack. To improve state and local preparedness, the CDC funded cooperative agreements with each state and various municipalities that focused on preparedness efforts. Five essential areas were targeted during the first years of this program: preparation modalities as well as the assessment of readiness; competence in examination and epidemiology; biology laboratory capacity; chemical laboratory capacity; and a health surveillance and information technology system. Based on lessons learned from the previous anthrax attack, more assets and focus areas were included: health risk communication and health data distribution; education and training. Bioterrorism attacks can take place in any of the following scenarios, i.e. overt or covert. Since we do not have the capacity to undertake real-time monitoring of the onset of biological attack in the United States, an announced covert release of a biological agent could remain unidentified for some time, with exposed individuals leaving the premises well before the biological attack. An act of terror is evident. Due to an incubation phase, the first indication that a biological agent has been released may not become obvious or known until weeks later when people begin to become seriously ill and seek medical attention. Therefore, the first responders to a covert act of bioterrorism will likely be the intelligent clinician, laboratory technician, or public health professional who is familiar with the index case or recognizes the responsible causal agent (Khan, 2011). Due to their training in terrorist attacks, normal first responders, such as law enforcement, firefighters, or materials..