Dr. Charles Cairns Testifies on Bioterrorism Threat at Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee Hearing

April 22, 2015


Charles Cairns, MD, professor of emergency medicine and interim dean of the UA College of Medicine - Tucson, testified on Capitol Hill this week before the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communication. The hearing focused on “Strategic Perspectives on the Bioterrorism Threat.” U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, (R-AZ), subcommittee chairperson, said, “The risk of a biological terrorist attack to America is an urgent and serious threat. A bio-attack could cause illness and even kill hundreds of thousands of people, overwhelm our public health capabilities and create significant economic, societal and political consequences. Our nation’s capacity to prevent, respond to and mitigate the impacts of biological terror incidents is a top national security priority.”

A nationally noted expert on bioterrorism, Dr. Cairns told the subcommittee, "None of these initiatives will be successful, ultimately, without the full cooperation and collaboration across federal agencies, the states and local governments.”

Read Dr. Cairns’ testimony:
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/HM/HM12/20150422/103332/HHRG-114-HM12-Wstate-CairnsC-20150422.pdf

Videos of opening statement and McNally’s questions to witnesses, including Dr. Cairns:
http://homeland.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearing-strategic-perspectives-bioterrorism-threat