Rep. Lynn B. Herman (R-77) has announced the establishment of an emergency preparedness Web page to make information about the threat of biological and chemical warfare available to the public, according to a press release from his office. The site is a service of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Public Health Alert System, the Department of Health also has been issuing periodic health alerts to keep hospitals and health professionals up to date about the incidents that have occurred across the country and the recommended protocols for medical response, the release said.

The Web page offers a series of fact sheets and answers to the most frequently asked questions about chemical and biological weapons, and diseases such as anthrax, botulism, and smallpox. Access to the Web page is available by visiting the House of Representatives Republican Caucus Web site at (www.pahousegop.com). Included is a direct link to the U.S. Postal Service Web site, which gives specific information about how to handle suspicious letters or packages.

For additional information contact the Health Department through a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-PA-HEALTH