What CDC is Doing to Prepare

CDC is working with other federal agencies and health departments across the country to prepare for an anthrax attack. Activities include:

• Providing funds and guidance to help health departments strengthen their abilities to respond to all types of public health incidents and build more resilient communities.
• Providing training in emergency response for the public health workforce and healthcare providers, as well as leaders in the public and private sector.
• Coordinating response activities and providing resources to health departments through the CDC Emergency Operations Center.
• Regulating the possession, use, and transfer of biological agents and toxins that could pose a severe threat to public health and safety through the CDC Select Agent Program.
• Promoting science and practices to strengthen preparedness and response activities.
• Ensuring that the United States has enough laboratories that can quickly conduct tests when anthrax is suspected.
• Working with hospitals, laboratories, emergency response teams, and health-care providers to make sure they have the medicine and supplies they would need if an anthrax attack occurred.
• Developing guidance to protect the health and safety of workers who would be responding during an anthrax emergency.