Electronic news media reports of potential bioterrorism-related incidents involving unknown white powder in relation to the United States centers for disease control and prevention and the federal bureau of investigation reports: USA, 2009-2011

The primary objective of this study is to review potential bioterrorism-related incidents involving unknown white powder reported to three sources: electronic news media, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in order to infer concordance and completeness among these sources of information for appropriate preparedness and response activities. These incidents are presumed to be potential anthrax-related threats because of how anthrax spores were disseminated as a bioterrorism agent in 2001. Using various search engines, the authors performed internet searches for “unknown white powder” that were reported from June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2011. They then reviewed the white powder incidents that were reported online by news media and compared them with white powder incidents reported to CDC and FBI during the same time period. Results showed that there were 297 electronic news media reports, 538 incidents reported to CDC, and 384 incidents reported to the FBI. A detailed evaluation of these reports indicated that 241 white powder incidents reported to CDC were not covered by the news media, and 154 incidents reported to CDC were not reported to the FBI. In conclusion, this study showed that there is no complete reporting of all white powder incidents in any of the three entities; the public health implications of an incomplete dataset are unknown. Findings also compound the need to enhance public health and law enforcement partnerships and agreements in sharing information about these potential bioterrorism-related incidents involving unknown white powder for appropriate preparedness and response activities.