[Bioterrorism].

Abstract

Biological terrorism is intentionally to use infectious substances for developing diseases or death in animals or humans, leading to disaster and panic in our community. Bioterrorism-associated diseases are mostly rare or eradicated infectious diseases, and recently, we do not have experience to make a clinical and laboratory diagnosis. In particular, these infectious diseases have incubation periods from infection to development of the disease. The staff working at public health institutions, including legal medicine, must be involved in as a first responder when bioterrorism would happen. The preparedness in general against bioterrorism and the bioterrorism-related diseases, such as anthrax, smallpox, viral hemorrhagic fever, tularemia, and botulinum toxin, important for us are described. Both medical knowledge of bioterrorism and the preparedness with training under simulation should be required in advance.