Optimizing active and passive countermeasures.

Abstract

In the context of bioterrorism, active countermeasures are those measures designed to deny an enemy the opportunity to launch or strike, and passive countermeasures are those measures designed to mitigate, soften, or divert the strike's force. Active includes denying entry of a person or substance or delivery system to the continent or states and our island territories, or access to sources of water, clean air, and crops; to large buildings, airports; and population-gathering centers. Passive includes rapid warning and evacuation, quarantining, mitigating through vaccines, health, and fire and police intervention.