Gaining a better understanding of bioterrorism.

A Journalist's Guide to Covering Bioterrorism by David Chandler and India Landrigan. 2002. Radio and Television News Directors Foundation, 1600 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20006-2838. 47 pages, $25. Available online at www.rtnda.com/resources/bioguide.pdf

Although this book was written for reporters and editors to improve the quality of reporting and analysis of bioterrorism stories, it is pertinent to legislators and staff.

The authors understand that the media, by providing basic facts from knowledgeable and balanced sources, can allay public fears, share important information about protective measures, and encourage calm and organized responses.

The information in this book will help legislators understand how biological weapons would infect an exposed population and how balanced, factual information should be shared with constituents.

Because civilian first responders (police, fire and emergency medical personnel), public health staff, policymakers and the media have had little experience in dealing with bioterrorism, there was a lack of basic information following the 2001 anthrax attacks. The book points out that the new form of terrorism is about instilling fear in the public-through hoaxes and threats, as much as actual attacks- and that the goal is to cause social and economic harm, as much as illness and death.

Chandler and Landrigan point out that a bioterrorist attack will not result in the conventional "lights and sirens" response because of the incubation period that many biological agents need to infect those exposed. Because biological agents are a stealthy weapon, there would be no 'ground zero' on which to focus news reports. The role for the media would shift to that of information broker to help the public understand the outbreak, the symptoms and the risks of exposure.

The authors say the public health system will play a major role in coordinating information and responses by local hospitals and state, local and federal public health staff.

Topics that can be written about now that would increase both a reporter's knowledge and the public's awareness of policy actions that affect their lives include: an explanation of how the biological agents can be spread through water, food or the air; development of computer programs that analyze data from ambulance calls, hospital admissions and drug store purchases to determine if there has been a biological release; and development of machines to "sniff" the air for biological weapons.

The book provides information about the six biological agents that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified as the greatest potential threat, a brief history of when biological weapons have been used, how a biological weapon could be released, and what international laws and treaties govern biological weapons. A glossary also is included that lists scientific terms and phrases used by the public health community. An appendix lists key organizations for additional information.