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| Wilson Announces $10 Million in Bioterrorism Funding for New Mexico |
June 06, 2002 |
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Funds will be used to enhance and expand bioterrorism preparedness plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Heather Wilson today announced that the New Mexico Department of Health will receive over $10 million dollars to develop comprehensive bioterrorism preparedness plans, upgrade infectious disease surveillance and investigation, and expand public health capacities to respond to potential bioterror attacks.
“America is fighting a war today on many fronts and we need to be prepared,” said Wilson. “In the past months, we have come to realize that the threat of bio-terrorism is very real, and it’s time to fill the gaps in our nation’s bio-defense, surveillance systems, and public health infrastructure. This financial assistance will be welcome to the people who keep us safe in New Mexico.”
The funds are from three programs. The first, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is targeted toward public health emergency preparedness whether it is related to a bioterror attack or an outbreak of an infectious disease. The second, provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration, will aid in the creation of regional hospital plans. Hospitals play a crucial role in identifying and responding to a bioterror attack. The third, provided by the Office of Emergency Preparedness, will support the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS). MMRS contracts improve the ability of a local jurisdiction to respond to the release of biological agents, and serves to improve local response to mass casualties.
New Mexico received the first $2 million in January 2002 to assist with the implementation and expansion local preparedness measures. New Mexico will receive an additional $8 million this month.
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