Two national surveys have found states are more prepared to deal with bioterrorism attacks since Sept. 11, 2001.

State health departments received approximately $1 billion in new federal funding to prepare for and respond to terrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and other public health threats and emergencies in 2002. Iowa received approximately $13 million that same year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

According to an article in the Oct. 31 edition of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “During 2001—2003, the number of epidemiology workers employed in infectious diseases and terrorism preparedness increased by 132 percent, from 366—848.”

Ginger Shipp, an ISU alumna in microbiology, conducted the surveys during an internship at the Iowa Department of Public Health.

During a three-year period, Iowa State and the Iowa Department of Public Health conducted surveys to determine how states used federal funds, Shipp said.

“In 2000, we surveyed states to see how prepared they were,” Shipp said. “No one knew that 9/11 would occur. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time.”

Beginning as a general survey before Sept. 11, 2001, the survey evolved and became more specific to see how states were working to hire more people to deal with bioterrorism.

“Initially, it was difficult because this is a little-researched area,” Shipp said. “I contacted public health planners and state epidemiologists from all 50 states. I found that the number of people being hired was increasing, but only some were properly trained.”

Radford Davis, assistant professor of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine, said the survey identified multiple challenges in the field of public health, including time for planning, hiring qualified epidemiologists and establishing disease surveillance.

Davis said the United States needs qualified epidemiologists, citing a national Epidemiology Capacity Assessment survey from 2001 stating, “approximately 42 percent of epidemiologists have no formal training.”

“We’re doing pretty well [in Iowa],” he said.

Shipp agreed.

“Iowa is working hard and has hired six new employees to work in epidemiology and public health,” she said.

With bioterrorism now a constant threat and qualified epidemiologists and public health personnel at a premium, state health offices continue to look for employees.

“This is a good field to get into,” Davis said. “There is a definite need for trained epidemiologists in the job market.”