DARK WINTER

DARK WINTER
A federal simulation
Dark Winter was an exercise run by federal officials in June to determine how a smallpox outbreak could affect the country. Participants acting as government officials were told to react to a simulated outbreak in Oklahoma City in 2002. The results:
Dec. 9, 2002: Day One
Twenty-four cases of smallpox are confirmed in Oklahoma City. A few cases also go unreported in two other states. The National Security Council begins its meeting with a briefing on the outbreak. Council members don't know how the disease was spread, but they assume it was a deliberate release by a terrorist. The president orders accelerated production of the smallpox vaccine, and those who came in contact with the initial victims are vaccinated.
Dec. 16, 2002: Day Eight
Two thousand people in the United States are now infected. Three hundred have died. Isolated cases also appear in Mexico, the United Kingdom and Canada. The medical system is overwhelmed, schools are closed, and public gatherings are limited. Public health officials have run out of doses of the vaccine. The National Security Council is divided over who should take control of response to the crisis. The president gives that responsibility to state governors.
Dec. 22, 2002: Day 14
Fourteen thousand people are now infected. One thousand have died. An estimated 5,000 people are expected to die in the next two weeks. Cases are recorded in 10 countries outside the United States. Interstate commerce has collapsed. Federal officials are forced to place restrictions on travel. The National Security Council discusses the need for martial law.