Restore Bioterrorism Funds, Local Health Officials Appeal.

(From AScribe)

WASHINGTON -- The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) today strongly urged the Bush administration and Congress to restore funding for local and state bioterrorism response, following release of a report by the auditing arm of Congress on bioterrorism spending.

In addition, the group called for swift enactment of legislation to fund the training of more specialized public health professionals. Trained personnel enable health departments to identify new health hazards, including deadly toxins that could be released intentionally by terrorists, and to move rapidly to prevent disease from spreading and treat …