NCJ Number
191822
Journal
American Behavioral Scientist Volume: 44 Issue: 6 Dated: February 2001 Pages: 1032-1041
Date Published
2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the threat of biological terrorism in the new millennium.
Abstract
Biological warfare agents emerged in the 20th century. As early as World War I, governments used biological weapons against humans and animals to further their strategic and tactical objectives. By 1918, chemical and biological weapons development programs were flourishing on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This article presents the history of biological warfare, the threat from rogue nations producing such agents, preparation for biological terrorism, responses to biological terrorism, and designing an effective plan and response protocols to counter biological terrorism. Biological weapons are known to have been produced by nations such as Iraq and are believed to be in the possession of other nations such as North Korea. The question is whether they can be produced by amateur biologists at or near the military specifications needed to cause mass illness and death. Early recognition of an event is the frontline defense against biological terrorism. Unlike chemical agents, which act quickly, biological agents take longer to produce effects due to their incubation period. Many local public health departments require physicians and other medical personnel to report unusual infections and contagious diseases. Once an incident of biological terrorism is recognized, there is little time to put a response into operation. This is critically important when dealing with bacterial agents, especially Anthrax, for which early treatment can have a profound effect on outcomes. In order to deal effectively with a terrorist event, a solid biological program agenda is needed. Continuous education of medical and health care professionals, private physicians, and EMS personnel, and a strengthened public health infrastructure designed to recognize emerging diseases, might help to avert a catastrophe. Tables, references