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DoD Ready to Protect Against Biological Threats
Story Number: NNS030127-11
Release Date: 1/27/2003 11:18:00 AM

From Department of Defense Health Affairs Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs William Winkenwerder Jr. recently stated the U.S. military is prepared to protect its personnel against the use of biological weapons.

The department uses a range of measures to protect service members from biological threats, including combinations of protective clothing and equipment, detectors, vaccines, antibiotics and training.

"The Chemical Biological Defense Program's initiatives over the last decade have significantly improved our ability to protect service members from the effects of biowarfare weapons. Our commanders on the battlefield today have the benefit of those improvements," Winkenwerder said.

DoD's protective measures are strongest against two significant biological threats: anthrax and smallpox. DoD has supplies of anthrax and smallpox vaccines available to protect its at-risk forces.

“In addition to the vaccines against the most likely biological threats, anthrax and smallpox, DoD has other countermeasures to protect against biological threat agents," Winkenwerder said.

The department continues to develop enhanced detection, prevention and treatment methods to guard against all biological threats, while working with other federal agencies, especially the Department of Health and Human Services.

America's troops are well-trained and protected with a robust, multilayered set of defenses against bioweapons. DoD is committed to developing and fielding the most effective countermeasures to keep our uniformed men and women healthy and safe.

For related news, visit the Navy Medicine Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/mednews.

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