"The agents of anthrax, plague, brucellosis, smallpox, viral encephalidites, and viral hemorrhagic fevers are of particular concern: they are relatively easy and inexpensive to produce, cause death or disabling disease, and can be aerosolized and distributed over large geographic areas." This quote comes from a 1998 article appearing in the online edition of Emerging Infectious Diseases.  With terrorism in general, and bioterrorism, as represented by our nation’s recent anthrax experiences, on everyone’s mind, disease-as-a-weapon information should be, and is, readily available to everyone. 

The following sources offer some of the soundest and clearest knowledge that you’ll find on the internet:

FirstGov.gov offers the best and most comprehensive coverage of anthrax and terrorism for the concerned layman.  The site bills itself as "the only official U.S. government portal to 47 million pages of government information, services, and online transactions." Available here, under the heading "America Responds to Terrorism," are literally thousands of documents.  Yet the site is well organized and makes finding data comparatively painless.  For instance, clicking on "Precautions Regarding Bioterrorism" brings up Anthrax Resources and Information, a Frequently Asked Questions list (FAQ), an anthrax video, and a very interesting and important consumer article entitled "Offers To Treat Biological Threats: What You Need To Know," which outlines the many scams growing out of recent events.

In Florida, Myflorida.com offers an area geared specifically to matters that may impact our state.  Labeled "Domestic Security In Florida," this section of the official state website contains press releases from the Department of Health, a statewide list of FBI offices, all official announcements from the governor’s office, the expected fact sheets on anthrax, and various public safety and state links. 

The CDC offers "Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response," containing alerts, advisories, and easy to digest fact sheets on anthrax, botulism, plague and smallpox.  Further, it gives overviews of the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile and the Health Alert Network (HAN).  One click takes the reader to MMWR articles on anthrax and bioterrorism, listings of events, conferences and professional meetings, and the full range of CDC services.  The area specific to bioterrorism can be reached at http://www.bt.cdc.gov.