An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure-shoring up the public health infrastructure to respond to bioterrorist attacks.

US public health departments must be prepared for the possibility of a biological terrorist event. Readiness means not only making sure our national security systems are adequate and vigilant, but that public health has the ability and resources to rapidly identify, investigate, and control the consequences of a terrorist event. Preparing for a bioterrorist attack will also improve public health's ability to address infectious disease outbreaks, food safety concerns, and environmental hazards.