Bioterrorism: An Imminent Public Health Threat

Abstract

Bioterrorism is a planned and deliberate use of pathogenic strains of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or their toxins to spread life-threatening diseases on a mass scale in order to devastate the population of an area. Bioterrorism agents can be separated into three categories, depending on how easily they can be spread and the severity of illness or death they cause. Biological agents can be spread through the air, through water, or in food. Robotic delivery is also possible. Another technique, a nightmare for bioterror experts, is the use of “suicide coughers”. To strengthen the area of biodefence, the US senate passed the ‘Bioterrorism Act of 2002’. A highly effective public health system should make an important contribution to deter the threat by demonstrably diminishing the result of a potential attack. The strategies against bioterrorism involve prevention of an attack, detecting bioweapons, and quick relief in the event of biowar. The next step is the introduction of Bioterrorism related topics in the medical curriculum, so that the medical students should be encouraged to stay abreast of new developments as they continue their training and begin their practices.