TIPS ON PHYSICAL APPEARANCE FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS
Document Sample
Tool #9: Media Manual Samples
DO’S AND DON’TS IN MEDIA RELATIONS
Some Basic Instructions:
DO DON’T
Do prepare your message Don’t say, “No comment”
Do work with/notify your PIO Don’t guess, lie or argue
Do promptly return a reporter’s call Don’t attack the competition
Do be brief, specific and valid Don’t use jargon or acronyms
Do repeat their question in your answer Don’t deviate from your message
Do answer the question they asked
Do evaluate your performance
TIPS ON PHYSICAL APPEARANCE FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS
1. For most interviews, you will be standing outside a building near a identifying plaque or
sign, seated in your office, in a conference room, or maybe in a television studio
Inside venues: Set up the environment with things like awards, pictures, appropriate
art; remove any inappropriate or distracting background items
Outside venues: Be aware of back drops, wind and office windows
2. Think conservative when you choose your clothing - make it simple and understated
Look professional unless it’s an interview related to a site or program outcome (i.e.: a
construction ceremony turning over the first shovel)
Gaudy sport coats/high fashion dresses will probably distract from the content
of your answers
Shiny and/or complex clothing patterns will show badly and detract from your
message
3. Regarding television interviews, there are special rules
Avoid shiny jewelry and bold, dangling earrings
Avoid white shirts/blouses - light blue is best, despite recent refinements in cameras
TIPS ON BODY LANGUAGE
1. When standing
Stand straight
Don’t shift back and forth
Avoid tilting your head away from the reporter - it suggests deception and uncertainty
Let your arms hang comfortably at your side, gesturing with your hands when
appropriate
Avoid gripping your hands defensively in positions that call attention to your
insecurities
2. When sitting
Sit with your back straight
Lean slightly forward - it presents a positive, comfortable look; leaning back in your
chair can make you appear cocky or too carefree
Keep knees close together or crossed neatly
Keep hands in your lap, except when you gesture, then put them back
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HOW TO RESPOND TO MEDIA CALLS
When a Call is Received
When a media call is received, ask for particulars on the story, such as:
What is the topic of their story? What angle are they interested in?
What kind of person/profession are they interested in talking to?
If they reference a “wire story,” report or other source, check to see if you can get a
copy.
What is their deadline for the interview?
Tell the reporter you’ll look into it and get back to him or her. Do not speculate or try to
answer the questions immediately. You must get back to the media without fail, within their
deadline time frame, even if you can’t provide them with the items they need. Be sure to tell
them what you can or cannot give them and why.
Media at SCVHHS Facilities
Camera crews/reporters are to be escorted at all times when inside SCVHHS facilities and must
have permission from the Public Information Officer or designee before being allowed into
facilities (see Media Policy #552.1). The news media has the right to film in front of any public
health building, or any public building, without permission, as long as they do not interfere with
operations. Roaming unescorted within the facilities is not permitted. If a camera crew
wants to film inside any SCVHHS building, in addition to permission from the PIO, permission
must also be obtained from the Program Manager or Director.
Who to Notify
Phone Protective Services (5-5567) right away to notify them that the news media is at one of
our locations. Give the time, specific location, and subject of visit.
If you know the media is going to be at one of our locations, send out an e-mail to the
following:
SCVHHS Executive Director, Robert Sillen
Chief of Protective Services, Mark Mooring
Public Health Director, Guadalupe Olivas
Health Officer, Dr. Martin Fenstersheib
Chief Financial Officer, Kim Roberts
Director of Administrative Services, Rae Wedel
Director of EMS Agency, Bruce Lee
Director of Public Health Nursing, Ira Schwartz
Director of Health Assessment, Rocio Luna
Director of Health Promotion, Dolores Alvarado
Assistant Health Officer, Dr. Sara Cody
EMS Agency Medical Director, Dr. Dave Ghirlarducci
Any appropriate program staff
Client Interviews
Clients cannot be interviewed, filmed or photographed without their signed permission. Clients
must sign appropriate forms prior to the interview or photo session. You will find this in the
“Policies and Forms Section” of this manual.
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Staff Interviews
We often receive requests for doctors or other staff members to speak. The subject can range
from the effects of smoking to teen suicide. It is often good to start with the Department/
Division Chair, Chief or Public Health Senior Manager if you are not familiar with the staff.
Many staff members have been “media trained” and are able to speak with the media while
other staff should not speak to the media. See “List of Experts/SCVHHS Resources” section of
this binder for contacts.
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MEDIA POLICY
June 23, 2003
TO: SCVMC Executive Team , SCVMC Directors,Department Chairs/Division Chiefs,
Cost Center Managers, First Line Supervisors, Public Health Department,
Directors, Officers and Managers, Mental Health Department Directors and
Managers, Department of Alcohol and Drug Services Directors and Managers
FROM: Robert Sillen
Executive Director
Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System
SUBJECT: Providing Information to the Media and Responding to Requests for
Information
POLICY:
The purpose of policy 552.1 is to ensure that information provided by the media is coordinated,
timely and accurate, and that inquiries from the media are responded to appropriately and in a
manner that protects the proprietary rights of the County of Santa Clara and, in compliance with
state and federal laws, safeguards patient privacy. Requests for data interviews, photographs,
video, film footage, audio recordings and general information by the news media,
entertainment media or other media that communicate with the public (henceforth referred to
as media) should be handled in accordance with the following procedural guidelines. This
policy applies to county employees and workforce members who conduct business with or
perform duties for SCVHHS.
PROCEDURES:
The Public Information Officer or designee and SCVHHS executive management are the
official spokespeople for SCVHHS. All other employees or workforce members are not
allowed to represent themselves as official spokespersons of SCVHHS or speak on behalf of
SCVHHS without first obtaining approval from the Public Information Officer or designee.
The Public Information Officer is designated by the Executive Director of Santa Clara Valley
Health & Hospital System.
During regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), all media requests involving patients,
employees, workforce members or SCVHHS departments should be directed to the Public
Information Officer or designee.
During all other times, media requests involving Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
should be directed to the Supervisor/Nursing Office at 408-885-6750.
During all other times, media requests involving other SCVHHS departments should be
directed to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center hospital operators at 408-885-5000,
who in turn will notify the Public Information Officer, designee.
Prior to releasing any protected health information to the media, an Authorization for
Release of Information to the Media Form #552.1, Attachment 1, must be completed by the
patient or the patient’s legal representative. Prior to the photographing, videotaping,
filming, audio recording, or otherwise recording the likeness of a patient by the media, a
Photographic Consent Form #8633 must be completed by the patient or the patient’s legal
representative, in accordance with county policy 301.6.
Media representatives, including television crews, reporters and photographers, who want
to interview, photograph, film, videotape, audiotape or otherwise record the likeness of any
person by any means while at a SCVHHS facility, must be escorted by the Public Information
Officer or designee. If a media representative appears at a SCVHHS facility unescorted,
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employees should notify the Public Information Officer or designee, either directly or
through the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center hospital operators.
SCVHHS employees approached by the news media off site, for instance at a medical
conference or press conference conducted by another organization, and should brief the
PIO on the nature of the interview and what statements were made to the reporter. If it is
possible to notify the PIO before an interview is conducted, then every reasonable effort
should be made to do so.
Issued: 08/09/85 Last Revised: 02/09/05
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SANTA CLARA VALLEY HEALTH & HOSPITAL SYSTEM
PHOTOGRAPHIC CONSENT FORM
This form should be completed in INK and placed in the patient’s medical record.
Name of Patient __________________________________________________ Date ____________________
Please Print
Patient Chart No. _________________________________________________
I, the undersigned, hereby give my consent to the SANTA CLARA VALLEY HEALTH & HOSPITAL
SYSTEM (SCVHHS), its agents and employees, persons representing public information media, or
other third parties, who are authorized by SCVHHS, for the performance of the photographic
procedures or actions initialed below.
(The undersigned should - if possible - initial a blank for each procedure approved or
disapproved; if undersigned is unable to initial blanks, then a witness should initial proper
blanks.)
_______YES _________ NO 1. Taking of still photographs of patient.
_______YES _________ NO 2. Taking of motion pictures of patient.
_______YES _________ NO 3. Taking of television pictures of patient, or taking of other
electronic recordings of patient (by tape recording or similar
method).
This authorization is subject to the following limitations (write “none” if applicable):
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
I understand that SCVHHS will not disclose any of the images or recordings obtained under this
authorization without my written consent or unless the disclosure is specifically permitted or
required by law. I also understand that a complete explanation of how SCVHHS may use any of
the images or recordings obtained under this authorization is available in the Notice of Privacy
Practices, which has been provided to me.
I understand that media representatives, or other third parties, may only photograph or
otherwise record my likeness while I am on SCVHHS premises if I have completed a written
authorization allowing SCVHHS to release my health information to such persons, or if such
persons’ access to my health information is specifically permitted or required by law.
I hereby waive any right to compensation for the use of any images or recordings obtained
under this authorization, and I hereby release the County of Santa Clara, its agents, officers,
and employees from liability resulting from or attributable to any of the procedures and actions
authorized above.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of patient or legal representative Date
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of witness Date
8633 REV 6/03 Deposition: Medical Chart – perm SCVMC 6852 – 25
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AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA
Communications & Marketing Department
Dedicated to the Health 2220 Moorpark Avenue, Room 105
of the Whole Community San José, CA 95128
Tel (408) 885-4161
Fax (408) 885-4050
Patient Information:
Last Name First Middle Initial
Medical Record Number Date of Birth Telephone Number
Authorization:
I hereby authorize the Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System (SCVHHS) and its
representatives to release protected health information about me to the following media
organization(s):
______________________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person or Organization Allowed to Receive Information)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Address City State Zip
______________________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person or Organization Allowed to Receive Information)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Address City State Zip
I authorize the Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System to release Protected Health
Information about me to any news, entertainment or other media organization, including but
not limited to television, radio, print, Internet or other media.
– Initial Required: ________
This authorization applies to the following information:
(Important: check the appropriate box or boxes and initial or sign and date as required.)
GENERAL MEDICAL INFORMATION – Initial Required: ________
DRUG/ALCOHOL INFORMATION
Signature and Date Required
MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION *
Signature and Date Required
RESULTS of HIV BLOOD TEST*
Signature and Date Required
OTHER (Please be specific)
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*The information maintained by SCVHHS may include information related to treatment
or diagnosis of drug/alcohol, mental health and/or results of an HIV blood test. If you
do not check these boxes, that information will not be released. Also, if you check any of
these boxes, additional legal requirements regarding that information may apply before
release can be made.
I understand that the purpose of this disclosure is for the media to further disclose this
information to the public by various means, including but not limited to: Publications, Internet
sites, and television and radio broadcasts. I do not hold SCVHHS responsible for the accuracy
of news reports based on the information released under this authorization.
Limitation on Release: I do not want the following specified information to be released to the
media. If no limitation, please write “No limitation.”
Duration: This authorization is valid immediately and will be valid until:
Date: . If I do not write a date this authorization will expire six
months from the date it was signed.
Cancellation: I understand that I have a right to cancel this authorization at any time. A
cancellation must be submitted in writing to the Public Information Officer at address at the top
of this form. The cancellation will become effective after it is received by the Public Information
Officer. I understand that a cancellation will not apply to actions already taken by SCVHHS
under this authorization.
Conditions: I understand that treatment, payment, enrollment, or eligibility for benefits will
not be based on my giving or refusing to give this authorization. I also understand that I may
refuse to sign this authorization.
Additional Copy: I understand that I have a right to receive a copy of this authorization if I ask
for it. Copy requested and received: Yes No ____________ (Initial)
Signature:
Patient/representative Date
If signed by other than patient, state relationship and authority to sign:_
Signature of Witness: Date:
A copy of this completed form should be filed with the patient’s medical record.
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MEDIA QUICK CONTACT LIST
Television
San Francisco/Oakland Office
Station San Jose Office Number
Number
KTVU Ch. 2 FOX 408-383-0400 510-874-0242
KRON Ch. 4 408-294-5083 415-451-2610
KPIX Ch. 5 CBS 408-977-7204 415-765-8610
KGO Ch. 7 ABC 408-537-0550 415-954-7321
KNTV Ch. 11 NBC 408-297-8780
KDTV Ch. 14 - Spanish 415-538-8014
KSTS Ch. 48 - Spanish 408-435-8848
Radio
Station Office Number
KCBS AM 740 415-765-4000
KGO AM 810 415-954-8100
KLIV AM 1590 408-293-8030
Print
Agency Main Number Newsroom
Mercury News 408-920-5000 408-920-5446 or 408-920-5444
SF Chronicle 415-777-7100
Nuevo Mundo 408-920-5843
Viet Merc 408-271-3707
Wire Services
Agency Office Number Fax Number
AP 408-293-2324 408-293-2005
Bay City 408-287-3639 or 408-294-2793 408-294-7745
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SCVHHS AND OTHER COUNTY/CITY RESOURCE LIST
Office Pager Fax Work Cell Home
PIO: Joy Alexiou 885-4164 820-3198 885-4049 XXX-XXXX XXX-XXXX
Deputy PIO: Teresa Chagoya 423-0717 820.3102 423-0771 XXX-XXXX XXX-XXXX
Health Officer:
423-0707 322-6149 423-0708 XXX-XXXX XXX-XXXX
Dr. Marty Fenstersheib
Assistant Health Officer:
885-4207
Dr. Sara Cody
Coroner’s Office 793-1900
County Communications 294-4424
County Executive PIO:
299-5154 321-0469
Gwen Mitchell
EMS Duty Chief
OES Command Center
Sheriff PIO
County Fire PIO
San Jose PIO
San Jose PD PIO
San Jose Fire PIO
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PRESS RELEASE
County of Santa Clara
Public Health Department
3003 Moorpark Avenue
San Jose, California 95128
For immediate release Contacts: Joy Alexiou
April 3, 2003 408.885.4164
Teresa Chagoya
408.423.0717
Additional Suspected SARS Cases Reported
Expanded Surveillance Guidelines Released
SAN JOSE, CA – Santa Clara County Public Health Department officials have identified two
additional suspected cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an atypical respiratory
illness that originated in Asia. Santa Clara County has now reported a total of nine suspected
SARS cases to the California Department of Health Services.
Public Health officials will hold a press briefing at 1:30 p.m. today to provide information to the
news media. The briefing will be held at 2220 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA in the Public
Health Auditorium.
The eighth case involves a 7-year old Hong Kong resident who is visiting Santa Clara County.
The ninth case involves an 58-year old male who had recently traveled to the People’s Republic
of China. Both new cases are in home isolation.
“While Santa Clara County residents should know what to look for regarding this illness, they
should not be alarmed,” stated Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, Health Officer for Santa Clara County.
“To date all of our suspected cases have traveled to one of the affected regions. Additionally,
the Public Health Department is actively responding to this emerging disease and is continuing
to provide information to our local medical community to enhance our response to this
outbreak.”
Prior to any identified suspected cases, the Public Health Department began educating the
Santa Clara County medical community about SARS. Health Alerts and Clinical Guidelines have
been issued to increase awareness of SARS among physicians and hospital medical staf,
enhance the medical community’s ability to respond to any patient experiencing symptoms,
and guide the reporting of any suspected cases to local health officials. Additionally, Public
Health Nurses are in daily contact with suspected cases and anyone who has been in close
contact with those cases. Suspected cases are monitored for health status and to prevent
additional exposures. Their contacts are monitored to insure appropriate medical care should
symptoms develop.
“The Public Health Department has worked hard to educate our local medical community about
The Public Health Department is a division of Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System.
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this emerging disease,” commented Dr. Guadalupe Olivas, Director of the Public Health
Department. “This is the work of Public Health. It’s our job to inform, educate and mobilize for
current and emerging public health issues and to respond to disease outbreaks.”
The most recent Health Alert, issued 4-01-03, contained Expanded Surveillance Guidelines for
the Santa Clara County medical community.
“We are asking our medical community to take the lead and help us limit the spread of this
disease,” announced Dr. Fenstersheib. “To limit the potential spread of this disease in our
county, we are initiating an expanded surveillance.”
The specific conditions that must be present to meet the case definition of SARS are:
History of travel to Hong Kong; the People’s Republic of China; Hanoi, Vietnam; or
Singapore within ten days of symptom onset; or close contact with persons who are ill
and meet the case;
AND
Fever (>38 degrees C or 100.4 degrees F);
AND
Cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or abnormal chest x-ray.
Santa Clara County residents can call 408.885.3980 for more information about SARS.
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Note: Words shown in bold type have an entry in this Glossary of Terms.
Aerosols – Particles of liquid or solid material small enough to remain airborne indefinitely and
thus spread widely. The preferred size range for biological weapons agents is small enough to
become lodged in the lungs rather than immediately exhaled.
Anthrax – A bacterium that can remain in dormant spore form for decades and can infect the
skin, lungs or gastrointestinal system in humans. The pulmonary form (tiny particles that can
be inhaled) is the most deadly and considered the most likely form to be used in a biological
attack.
Antibiotics – Antibiotics, which and treat bacterial diseases, can be effective against plague
and anthrax, but are useless against viruses such as smallpox, and toxins such as botulinum.
Bacteria – Single-celled organisms, some of which can infect humans, usually through the
lungs, skin or intestines, and release destructive toxins.
Biosafety – Containment levels have been defined by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) for Biosafety Levels 1 through 4, reflecting increasing danger. Each level
requires a specific set of clearly defined protective clothing, ventilation, construction, etc.
Bioterrorism - The intentional or threatened use of viruses, bacteria, fungi or toxins from
living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals or plants.
Bioweapon – A type of bacteria, virus or biologically produced toxin, hat can or might be
made into a weapon.
Botulinum - A toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is one of the
most poisonous know substances. The CDC lists it as a Category A biological agent.
Brucella – A toxin produced by bacteria, which is considered a potential bioweapon. The CDC
lists it as a Category B agent.
Bubonic plague – Usually transmitted by flea bites, this form of the bacterial Yersinia pestis
was responsible for the Black Death in medieval Europe and was used as a weapon by Japan
against China in World War II. It is considered an unlikely weapon in modern times because the
inhalational (pneumonic) form is considered capable of causing much higher casualties.
Category A - The group of biological agents currently believed by the CDC to pose the greatest
threat as bioweapons. Category A includes anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, botulinum,
and viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Category B - Potential biological weapons listed by the CDC as being moderately easy to
disseminate. They can cause moderate amounts of disease and low fatality rates but may
require specific public health action.
Category C – Described by the CDC as emerging infectious disease threats that might at some
point be engineered to produce biological weapons. The CDC names Hantavirus and Nipah
fever in this category.
CBN – Chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Also known collectively as weapons of mass
destruction.
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CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This U.S. agency, based in Atlanta, Ga., is
responsible for protecting the health and safety of people by developing and applying disease
prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities.
Dr. Julie L. Gerberding is the current director.
Chemical weapons – weapons using chemical agents to affect the skin, eyes, circulatory
system, nervous system, and/or respiratory system. Examples include tear gas, Sarin, and
cyanide.
Cidofovir – An antiviral treatment option for those suffering from adverse reactions to the
smallpox vaccine.
Ciprofloxacin – An antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as anthrax and plague.
Contagion – The process by which one person infected with a disease passes it to another,
either through direct skin contact, inhaled droplets or contact with contaminated materials.
Some potential biological weapons, such as anthrax and botulism are not contagious, while
smallpox and plague are highly contagious.
Contamination – Contact with hazardous or infective agent in an unprotected manner.
Cutaneous – Contracted through direct contact with the skin. Among possible biological
weapons, anthrax, plague, and smallpox can be contracted cutaneously as can the toxins
botulinum and mycotoxins.
Disease Surveillance – In epidemiology and public health, the identification of index patients
and their contacts; the detection of outbreaks and epidemics; the determination of the
incidence and demographics of an illness; and the policy-making that may prevent further
spreading of the disease.
Doxycycline – An antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections, including anthrax and
plague.
Ebola – a viral hemorrhagic fever with fatality rates ranging from 50 to 90 percent, Ebola has
gained public notoriety in books and movies.
Encephalitis – Swelling of brain tissues, which can be caused by a variety of viral and bacterial
diseases.
Enterotoxin B – A toxin produced by staphylococcus bacteria. It is listed by the CDC as a
Category B potential bioweapon.
Epidemic - An infectious disease or condition that attacks many people at the same time in the
same geographical area.
Epidemiology – the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and
events in populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.
Epidemiology is concerned with the traditional study of epidemic diseases caused by infectious
agents, and with health-related phenomena.
Epsilon toxin – Produced by the bacteria Clostridium per fringens and a common cause of
food poisoning. It is listed by CDC in Category B of potential bioweapons.
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Exposure - Subjected to, or exposed to, a contaminant in an unprotected or partially protected
manner, but not necessarily contaminated by an agent.
FEMA – The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration. In case of a national
emergency, including a biological weapons attack, this agency would be responsible for
coordinating local and imported emergency response teams.
Flu - See Influenza.
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) – a disease of cattle, it might be used as a weapon because of
its potential economic impact on beef sales, especially for export.
Gentamicin – an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections, Gentamicin is administered
intravenously and is therefore less efficient to administer in mass quantities.
Glanders – A highly lethal bacterial disease that can kill 50 percent of those exposed. Has been
developed as a bioweapon and was used against livestock by Germany in World War I. The CDC
lists it as a Category B potential bioweapon.
Hantavirus - Carried by rodents and mostly transmitted through their droppings, this virus
causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which has now been identified in eight other
countries. The CDC lists it as a Category C potential bioweapon.
Hemorrhage – Uncontrollable bleeding. Some biological agents cause death primarily through
hemorrhaging, including the viral hemorrhagic fevers. (VHFs)
HHS – Health and Human Services and the federal cabinet-level agency under which the CDC,
NIH and other agencies are based.
Incubation period – The time between exposure to a disease or toxin and the appearance of
the first symptoms. For the most potential biological weapons, this can range from a day or two
a month or more. (See Latency)
Infection – The invasion of a body by microorganisms (bacteria, virus, or fungi), which can
reproduce in the body to produce disease or can remain dormant for long periods.
Infective, infectious – Capable of causing infection.
Influenza (flu) – A common viral infection with initial symptoms such fever, chills, nausea,
cough, that closely resemble those of many biological agents. The resemblance makes flu a
likely initial diagnosis for a disease actually caused by a bioterror attack.
Inoculation – introduction of a vaccine (or other material) into the body.
Inversion – A weather condition that can exacerbate the effects of the release of an outdoor
biological agent, in which a cold layer of air traps warmer air close to the ground, preventing
vertical mixing of air and allowing an aerosol to remain at ground level. Inversions generally
occur at night, sunrise and sunset, but can persist for days.
Isolation – The sequestration of an infected individual to prevent the spread of infection to
others.
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Latency – The period between exposure to a disease (bacteria, or virus, and the onset of
symptoms or after an initial set of symptoms in certain diseases, which can then produce a
relapse.
Mad Cow Disease (MCD) – A disease of cattle, it could be used as a weapon to produce
economic harm.
Marburg – A viral hemorrhagic fever closely related to Ebola.
Mass Prophylaxis – The provision of medications and/or vaccines to large number of the
public to prevent or treat an infectious disease.
Melioidosis – A disease caused by the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria, it is listed by the
CDC as a Category B potential bioweapon.
Milling – A mechanical process for powdering biological agents (bacteria, or virus) to produce
uniform particles tiny enough to remain aloft in the air for long periods and be easily inhaled
and become lodged in the lung.
Mycotoxins – Toxins produced by fungi. Some, such as Tricothene mycotoxins have been used
as biological weapons.
Nipah Virus – A “new” virus discovered in Malaysia in 1999 and closely related to the Hendra
virus in Australia. Both of these are Paramyxoviridae. It has high mortality rate (50 percent) and
is listed by the CDC as Category C potential bioweapon.
Nosocomial Spread – The contraction of a disease while in the hospital. During an epidemic,
this can become a significant route for the spread of disease unless countermeasures are
carefully followed.
Pandemic – A disease affecting the majority of the population of a large region, such as dental
caries or periodontal disease, or one that is epidemic at the same time in many different parts
of the world.
Pathogen – Any agent (such as a virus, fungus, or toxin) that causes a disease.
Plague – A bacterial infection that can infect humans and was responsible for the “Black Death”
in the Middle Ages. It occurs in three forms, bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic. Pneumonic
plague, the only contagious form, is thought to be most likely to be used in a bioterror attack.
Pneumonic – Contracted through the lungs, as in pneumonic plague, or pneumonic anthrax.
Psittacosis – A disease caused by the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria, it is listed by the CDC as a
Category B potential bioweapon.
Pulmonary – Pertaining to the lungs.
Q fever – A bacterial disease, listed by the CDC as a Category B potential bioweapon.
Quarantine – The sequestration or restriction to given are of individuals who may have been
exposed to a disease but have not yet shown signs or symptoms of the disease, or those who
have developed symptoms and must be kept apart from others not exposed to the disease.
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Rickettsiae – Bacteria that respond to antibiotics but have longer incubation periods like
viruses and are not contagious. Ricettsiae include Q fever and typhus.
Ricin – A toxin produced by castor beans. It is included in the CDC’s Category B of potential
bioweapons.
Salmonella – A type of bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms when
ingested.
Sepsis – The presence of microorganisms in blood.
Smallpox – A contagious viral disease that has killed hundreds of millions of people through
history, it was the first disease ever eradicated from natural occurrence in humans, with the last
natural case in 1977. However, reserves of the disease remain, and it is perhaps the most
feared potential bioweapon.
Spores – Bacteria in a dormant, often dehydrated from, that can be very resistant to
degradation by heat, ultraviolet and other agents that would destroy the living bacterium.
Anthrax is one potential bioweapon that could be distributed as an aerosol in spore form.
Stability – The ability of a biological agent to retain its ability to cause disease over time and to
resist degradation by heat or cold, UV radiation and other factors.
Streptomycin – An antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections, Streptomycin is
administered intravenously an is therefore less efficient to administer in mass quantities.
Toxins – Poisonous substances produced by many types of organisms, including bacteria,
animals, and plants.
Transmission – the passing of a contagious disease from one individual to another.
Tularemia – A bacterial infection (Francisella tularensis) that is not contagious but is highly
infectious. Tulermia can infect humans through various routes, but the most likely route to a
bioterror attack is thought to be inhalation of an aerosol.
Typhus fever – A disease caused by the Rickettsia prowazekii bacteria, it is listed by the CDC
as a Category B potential bioweapon.
Vaccination – The deliberate introduction into the body of either a known pathogen, such a
virus or a closely related form, to a create immunity against later exposure. Vaccination is
considered the most effective public-health countermeasure for many biological agents.
Vaccinia – The virus used to create immunity to smallpox in humans. Vaccinia is a relatively
harmless virus closely related to smallpox and is the origin of the term vaccinate.
Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) – A treatment option for people suffering from adverse
reactions from the smallpox vaccine.
Vector-borne – Illness that is transmitted through an invertebrate such as an insect.
Viral - Caused by a virus.
Viral encephalitis – A viral disease, listed by the CDC as a Category B potential bioweapon.
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Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) – A group of viruses that cause internal and external
bleeding. While some VHFs such as Ebola cause severe illness and have high fatality rates,
others cause only mild illness.
Virulence- The ability of a disease agent to produce illness, sometimes expressed as a
percentage of exposed people who will develop the disease.
Viruses – Organisms smaller than bacteria and unable to survive on their own, which can
invade the cells of humans (or other species) causing illness and death. Viruses can infect
humans through a variety of different routes; pulmonary (through the lungs) Cutaneous
(through the skin) or gastrointestinal (through food or drink).
Weaponization – The process of turning a naturally occurring disease agent into a biological
weapon. This usually involves treatments to increase stability, increase virulence, and (for
aerosol distribution) milling to produce tiny, uniformly sized particles.
WHO – The World Health Organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is the primary
coordinating body for global health programs and policy.
“Worried Well” – The term used for people who seek medical attention in the wake of a
biological, chemical, or nuclear attack who are not ill but are concerned they might be.
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