The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has issued a health alert to area hospitals. In an effort to detect potential acts of terrorism in the period leading up to and following the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the LACDPH is reminding emergency rooms and hospital health care providers to remain vigilant for potential cases of bioterrorism, chemical terrorism and nuclear/radiological terrorism. 

Health care providers are also reminded to report any suspected cases immediately to Public Health as concerns regarding infection control, management of those exposed, diagnostic testing, and specimen collection need to be addressed.

Clues to potential terrorist incidents include:

• A single case of disease caused by uncommon agent (e.g. anthrax, smallpox)
• An unusual clinical presentation of a single patient (e.g. severe gastrointestinal or respiratory syndrome with rapid progression of illness without an explained cause should heighten suspicion)
• A higher morbidity and mortality with a common disease or syndrome (e.g. gastrointestinal or respiratory) or failure of such patient to respond to usual therapy
• Ill persons who seek treatment at the same time (point source)
• Simultaneous cluster of similar illnesses

In the event of a suspected terrorism incident or suspected case, hospitals are urged to call LACDPH immediately and ask to speak with the Public Health Physician on Call. During business hours, call (213) 240-7941 and after hours please call (213) 974-1234. The full health alert message is available at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/docs/HANsept11aniv.pdf. For more information regarding terrorism agent and treatment guidelines, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/Bioterrorism/Terrorismagentinformation.pdf.