Bioterrorism
In September 2002, CAPCOG entered into a cooperative agreement with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Health Services Region 7 (HSR7) for public health preparedness. Since then CAPCOG has remained a partner with DSHS HSR7 and continues to work on projects directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for public health emergency planning with an emphasis on preparedness goals related to improved response and performance to all public health disasters.
Planning activities are focused on Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Llano, & Lee counties, the seven CAPCOG counties that do not have local health departments but where DSHS HSR7 provides public health services. Each county has completed plans for local bioterrorism response and pandemic influenza response that tie in to DSHS, Health Services Region 7 response roles. Additional coordination for county volunteer requirements needed during a public health emergency is also occurring at a local level.
