Bioterrorism: is it a real threat? (original) (raw)

Bioterrorism: a threat for which we are ill prepared

The National medical journal of India

Of the weapons of mass destruction, the biological ones are the most feared and bioterrorism has become one of the most vicious threats to civilized society in recent times. Biological weapons have been sporadically used for centuries. Despite international regulations, there has been a global re-emergence of the threat of biological warfare. As many as 17 countries are suspected of either including or developing biological agents in their weapons programmes. In the past decade, a number of terrorist organizations with access to bioweapons technology have emerged. .Current surveillance systems may be inadequate to detect biological attacks. The onset of illness is often delayed, thus the timing and location of such an event may be extremely difficult to identify. We are unfamiliar with most of the agents of biological warfare and are ill-equipped to handle the consequences of such an attack. In addition, there is no apparent coherent policy to handle a biological terrorist incident. Given the enormity of what is possible in the event of a biological attack, we must be prepared to detect, diagnose, epidemiologically characterize and respond appropriately to biological weapons. Of the potential biological weapons, smallpox and anthrax pose the greatest threats.

GLOBAL BIOTERRORISM AND BIOSECURITY

The activities of extremist groups worldwide have been focused on acquiring methods to inflict high mass casualty incidents. They seek weapons of mass destruction which they would not hesitate to deploy into densely populated regions in America or anywhere in the world. Fortunately, the level of security guarding nuclear arsenals is high and the required security clearances and ongoing government surveillance over key personnel working in the nuclear weapons industry is also high. The control over nuclear weapons and raw materials makes it difficult, but, not impossible, for a group of determined extremists to acquire essential materials and technical skills to build a nuclear device or buy an operational one on the black market. However, a far less secured and less government regulated industry with equal potential for high mass casualty incidents exist in virology laboratories throughout the world today. Advances in virology have far surpassed existing public policy controls and government regulatory safeguards that should secure laboratories at reasonably the same level as the nuclear weapons industry. Laboratories are not closely regulated and key scientists have not been cleared by extensive background screening procedures or kept under the close surveillance protocols as they were during the Manhattan Project while developing the first atomic bomb during WWII. To some readers this warning may just be dismissed as alarmist. It is nonetheless important to understand that the technology to create deadly viruses is available; and, dangerous pathogens could be under development now in any of the many unregulated laboratories operated by unsupervised scientists. International public policy and global multinational government regulation have not kept pace with the rapid modern advances in the biological sciences. It is

Bioterrorism: An Unknown Emerging Threat for Future

We can characterize the 21 st century as the age of Terrorism, Terrorism has effected most of us as one way or another. Among the modes of terrorism bio-terrorism can be most devastating because of its impact on the living world. Bio-terrorism can be defined as the use of microorganisms like bacteria, virus and fungi or toxins by the terrorist organizations or by extremist groups as weapons. And by the use of those weapons they can easily spread uncurable diseases and some extent global pandemics.1 The attraction of bioweapons in war, and for use in terroristic attacks is attributed to easy access to a wide range of disease-producing biological agents, to their low production costs, to their non-detection by routine security systems, and to their easy transportation from one place to another. In addition, novel and accessible technologies give rise to proliferation of such weapons that have implications for regional and global security. In counteraction of such threats, and in securing the culture and defence of peace, the need for leadership and example in devising preventive and protective strategies has been emphasized through international consultation and cooperation.

Bioterrorism, an Emerging Threat

Elsevier eBooks, 2019

Various books such as Handbook of Viral Bioterrorism and Biodefense (Clercq and Kern, 2003), Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Containing and Preventing Biological Threats (Ryan and Glarum, 2008), and Bioterrorism: Threats and Deterrents (Ç ankaya and Kibaro glu, 2010) have discussed threats, causes, and effects of bioterrosim in different parts of the world. The chapter on "Bioterrorism, an Emerging Threat in Pakistan" focuses on the current situation of bioterrorism in Pakistan. Several examples from all around the world have been quoted to highlight different incidents of bioterrorism across the world. After addressing vicious epidemics, several laboratory methods for detection and surveillance for bioterrorism have been elaborated. The case studies of bioterrorism in terms of warfare highlight use of bioweapons at political fronts. Similarly, the success story of controlling bird flu and advent and persistence of dengue show the status of bioterrorism and Pakistan's preparedness to deal with this menace. Pakistan has strengthened itself to deal with bioterrorism by adopting different national and global tools for governance. However, the rapid decline in environmental quality leads to an increase in biohazards. It

bioterrorism :principle and Mechanism

Biological warfare is the intentional use of microorganisms and toxins generally of microbial, plant or animal origin to produce disease and death in humans, livestock and crops (Arora, 2002). The attraction of bio-weapons in war and use in terrorist attacks is attributed to easy access to a wide range of disease producing biological agents because of their low producing costs, non-detection by routine security systems and easy transportation from one place to another (Raghunath et al., 2000). The preferred biological agents are Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Ebola virus, Lassa virus, small pox virus, etc. and genetically engineered organisms that can survive, express and perpetuate in the natural environment (Hust, 2013). Bacillus anthracis is the toughest known biological agent. The WHO estimated that 50 kg of B. anthracis release upwind of a population centre of 5 lakh would result in upto 1 lakh deaths with an additional 1.25 lakh incapacitated persons (Piles et al., 1998). Inhalation of anthrax endospores reach alveoli where from macrophages, phagocytes and lysed endospores enter into regional lymph nodes, germinate and multiply within the lymphatic system in 1 to 43 days. Then they enter the blood stream and lead septic shock, toxemia and hemorrhagic meningitis. Ebola virus is transmitted by bats. They enter human body via contaminated meat, attack immune system and infected cells get transmitted throughout the body causing death (William, 2001). The main principles involved in bioterrorism are nature of organisms of concern, source of organisms, and dissemination of organisms. The dissemination of biological weapons can take place through aerosol sprays, explosives or food and water contamination (Batra, 2000). Attacks by such weapons may create high level of panic, environment contamination and extreme pressures on emergency health services (Harris, 2002). Current concerns regarding the use of bio-weapons result from the increased proliferation of such weapons and the acquisition of these cheaper weapons by terrorist organizations (Levy, 2003). The need of the hour is to develop full international cooperation and to educate the likely target populations about precautions and protective measures against a possible biological weapon attack (Osterholm, 2001).

Biodefense as a Response to Bioterrorism: An Enquiry

Migration of People, animals and electronic gadgets from mostly the industrialized countries to the other part of the world couple with the advancement in science and technology which has led to production of series of biological agents has made the issue of biodefense a serious issue that requires deliberation and action. This is so because modern international trade and travel can facilitate the movement of biological pathogens including dangerous viruses, bacteria, and toxins such as smallpox, anthrax, plague, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers across national borders which will have a significant impact on health, economies, and national security. This paper attempts a conceptual discussion of the meaning and the different modes of biodefense, organizational and health care response to bioterrorism, international regulatory response to biological weapons, and the challenges of biodefense. The paper also attempts to state the need for government at all levels to put in place biodefense strategies that will help minimize the effects of bioterrorism if it cannot not be prevented from happening by strengthen the Organizational and Health Care Response to Bioterrorism and put in place International Regulatory Response policy and strategies on Biological Weapons.

The Nature of the Bioterrorism Threat

2003

This analysis provides an overview of the nature of the bioterrorism threat. It identifies potential CDC Class A biological agents that are likely candidates for use in a terrorist incident and describes the known sources of vulnerability. The paper also summarizes S&T resources/needs and assesses response options for achieving effective biodefense against terrorist threats.

Risk of disease spread through bioterrorism

Veterinaria italiana

Bioterrorism is seen as a clear and present danger, although historically, acts of bioterrorism have been relatively unpredictable, rare and, thus far, small-scale events. The risk of an event is elevated by increasing contact among species and a global connectivity that provides rapid dissemination of infectious diseases regardless of origin. Virtually any pathogenic microbe could be used by bioterrorists. An attack may be difficult to distinguish from a naturally occurring infectious disease outbreak; however, consequences are likely to be similar. The agricultural sector is extremely vulnerable to bioterrorist attacks because animals and plants have little or no innate resistance to foreign pathogens and are not vaccinated or otherwise protected against these diseases. It is also important to note that weapons or delivery systems are not an issue because the animals and plants themselves are the primary vector for transferring agents. Many bioterrorism agents are zoonotic in orig...