{"id":10037,"date":"2025-03-01T14:01:57","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/adthome\/"},"modified":"2025-03-07T03:14:11","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T08:14:11","slug":"adthome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/php\/adthome\/","title":{"rendered":"php\/adthome ~  Agents, Diseases &#038; Threats  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  <br>\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\">\r\n\r\n    <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\r\n\r\n      <a accesskey=\"L\" class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&#038;lang=en_us&#038;readid=main_content&#038;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/php\/adthome.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n      <\/a>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\r\n\r\n      <h1><!--[type=EDIT name=\"Page Title\"]-->Agents, Diseases &#038; Threats<!--[END]--><\/h1>\r\n\r\n    <\/header>\r\n\r\n  <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\">\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"row\">\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\r\n\r\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\r\n\r\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\r\n\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\r\n\r\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\r\n    <li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &#038; Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ofclocations.html\">Office Locations<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/contact.html\">Contact Info<\/a><\/li>\r\n      \r\n        <li><a href=\"\/calendars.html\" target=\"_blank\">Calendar<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#ServicesMenu\"><h2>Services <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"ServicesMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesaz.html\">A-Z Services<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/environmental.html\">Air &#038; Water Quality<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ss\/vitalstats.html\">Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/clinics.html\">Clinics<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthdatastats.html\">Health Data &#038; Statistics<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/emsps.html\">Emergency Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthandwellness.html\">Health &#038; Wellness<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthyhomes.html\">Healthy Homes<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthywp.html\">Healthy Workplaces<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/lab\/labs.html\">Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/feir.html\">Restaurant Inspections<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/screen.html\">Screening and Testing<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/chca\/dphwichominf01.html\">WIC<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesadd.html\">Additional Services<\/a><\/li><li>\r\n      <\/li><\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#InformationMenu\"><h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n        <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"InformationMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">A-Z Fact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/pubreportsaz.html\">A-Z Publications &#038; Reports<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/diseasesandconditions.html\">Diseases &#038; Conditions<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/faq.html\">FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/alerts.html\">Health Alerts<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthylifestyles.html\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hipaa.html\">HIPAA<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/regs.html\">Regulations<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/forms.html\">Request Forms<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/links.html\">Links &#038; Resources<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"http:\/\/delaware.gov\/help\/foia_request.shtml\">FOIA Request Form<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li><a id=\"SocialMenuHeader\"><h2>Connect <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-o-up fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul id=\"SocialMenu\">\r\n        <li class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DEPublicHealth\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Division of Public Health Facebook Page\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Facebook<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Delaware_DHSS\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Delaware Health and Social Services Twitter Account\"><i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Twitter<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <!-- <li class=\"googleplus\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-google-plus-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Google +<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"flickr\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-flickr fa-lg\"><\/i> Flickr<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"youtube\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-youtube-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Youtube<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"instagram\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-lg\"><\/i> Instagram<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"linkedin\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Linkedin<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"pinterest\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-pinterest-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Pinterest<\/a><\/li> -->\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n  <\/ul>\r\n\r\n              <\/div>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n          <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-9\" id=\"main_content\"> \r\n\r\n  <!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]-->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>| <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#Biological\">Biological<\/a> | <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#Chemical\">Chemical<\/a> | <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#Radiological\">Radiological<\/a> | <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#Mass\">Mass Casualty<\/a> | <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#Disasters\">Natural Disasters<\/a> | <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#Explosions\">Explosions<\/a> | <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#Diseases\">Reportable Diseases<\/a> |<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><a id=\"Biological\">Biological<\/a><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A bioterrorism attack is a purposeful release of a virus, bacteria, or other germs that can cause illness or death in people, animals or plants. While many of these agents are found in nature, they may be altered to increase the likelihood of infection and resistance to medicine. These agents can be spread through air, water, and food.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image of patient on a stretcher during an exercise.\" class=\"pull-right img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/patientonstretcher.jpg\"><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For more information on how to prepare for a bioterrorism attack, visit:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <li><a href=\"http:\/\/emergency.cdc.gov\/bioterrorism\/\">CDC | Bioterrorism<\/a> or<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">Fact Sheets A-Z<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#top\">Return to top<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><a id=\"Chemical\">Chemical<\/a><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A chemical emergency happens when chemicals that are potentially harmful to the public\u2019s health are released. These releases can be caused by an accident or a terrorist attack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For more information on how to prepare for a chemical emergency, visit:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <li><a href=\"http:\/\/emergency.cdc.gov\/chemical\/overview.asp\">CDC | Chemical Emergencies Overview<\/a> or<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">Fact Sheets A-Z<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#top\">Return to top<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><a id=\"Radiological\">Radiological<\/a><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>People are exposed to small amounts of radiation every day, from natural and man-made sources. There is a possibility that large amounts of radiation can be released though an accident or a terrorist attack. Radiation in large amounts is life threatening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For more information on how to prepare for a radiation emergency, visit:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <li><a href=\"http:\/\/emergency.cdc.gov\/radiation\/\">CDC | Radiation Emergencies<\/a> or<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">Fact Sheets A-Z<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image of a volunteer demonstrating how to wear a mask for protection\r\nduring an emergency.\" class=\"pull-left img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/maninmask.jpg\"><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#top\">Return to top<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><a id=\"Mass\">Mass Casualty<\/a><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A mass casualty event is defined differently in every community though they always indicate that the number of injured persons exceeds the immediate community resources. Mass casualty events occur in a variety of settings such as highways, concert stadiums, raceways, etc. It is normal for individuals to suffer from emotional and physical stress during and after such an event. Previously diagnosed health conditions may worsen.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>To help prepare yourself for a mass casualty event, visit: \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/emergency.cdc.gov\/radiation\/masscasualties\/training.asp\">CDC | Mass Casualty Event Preparedness and Response<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#top\">Return to top<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><a id=\"Disasters\">Natural Disasters including Severe Weather<\/a><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Natural disasters including severe weather events can happen quickly such as a flash flood or a hurricane. In either case, it is important to take these events seriously.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For more information on preparing for weather related disasters, visit:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <li><a href=\"http:\/\/emergency.cdc.gov\/disasters\/\">CDC | Natural Disasters &#038; Severe Weather<\/a> or<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/media-library\/assets\/documents\/7877\">FEMA | Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#top\">Return to top<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><a id=\"Explosions\">Explosions<\/a><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Biological, chemical, and radiological emergencies may result from intentional detonation of explosives. However, accidental explosions such as gas leaks can cause equally devastating amounts of damage without biological, chemical, or radiological elements. It is important to plan for explosion emergencies as planning can help minimize injuries and save lives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For more information on how to plan for explosions, visit: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ready.gov\/explosions\">Ready.gov | Explosions<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"#top\">Return to top<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><a id=\"Diseases\">Reportable Diseases in Delaware<\/a><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>All Delaware physicians, laboratories and other health care providers are <a href=\"http:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title16\/Department%20of%20Health%20and%20Social%20Services\/Division%20of%20Public%20Health\/Health%20Promotion%20and%20Disease%20Prevention\/4202.shtml\"> required by regulations<\/a> to report patients with certain conditions to the Health Information &#038; Epidemiology office. Reporting enables appropriate public health follow-up for your patients, helps identify outbreaks and provides a better understanding of disease trends in Delaware. <a href=\"\/dph\/dpc\/rptdisease.html\">For information on those diseases that are reportable and the process of disease reporting, visit this webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"smalltext\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.adobe.com\/products\/acrobat\/readstep2.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Download Adobe Acrobat Reader\" height=\"21\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/dhss\/img\/getacro60.gif\" width=\"60\"><\/a> Please note: Some of the files available on this page are in Adobe PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.  A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded directly from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.adobe.com\/products\/acrobat\/readstep2.html\">Adobe <\/a>. If you are using an assistive technology unable to read Adobe PDF, please either view the corresponding text only version (if available) or visit Adobe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/access.adobe.com\">Accessibility Tools page<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n  <!--[END]-->\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\r\n\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen Agents, Diseases &#038; Threats Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &#038; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &#038; Water Quality Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &#038; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &#038; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections Screening and Testing WIC Additional Services [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":10036,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10037","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10037"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11922,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10037\/revisions\/11922"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}