Bioterrorism: how real is the threat?

Before the events of September 11, 2001, very little alarm about bioterrorism was actually heeded as most western democracies did not feel that biological attack was a realistic possibility. In survey done by West Virginia University in 2001, 21% of public health officials and county health directors were not aware of policy for weapons of mass destruction (WWD) response. Nearly 66% of those surveyed rated their communication with hospitals as moderate to strong, but similar percentage does not have proper protocol for communicating with hospitals about a WMD event. (Hoard et al, 2002… Emerge. Infect. Disease Vol 8 No 9)

In measuring the impact that a biological attack would have in the agriculture sector, one need only look at recent events with product recalls due to contamination or the Newcastle Disease outbreak in California. It should be emphasized that none of these examples are considered as acts of terrorism, but they serve as a model as to impact, response and economic consequences.

Newcastle diseases, which was discovered in birds in California in October 2002, has cost the government more than $35 million (state expenses in California of $13 million and federal expenses of $22 million) for the task force to address the problem. As of March 1, 2003, 2.1 million birds had been destroyed. The poultry and egg industries themselves seem to be swamped with disinfection and biosecurity upgrade costs. [These information I got it from Proceedings of Alltech’s 19^th International symposium, 2003]

Another agricultural biological model scenario residents of the state of Kentucky are intimately aware of is Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS). Although the exact cause is unknown at this time there seems to be a high correlation between the presence of the Eastern Tent Caterpillar and focal losses.

Massive recalls of tainted products are not limited to the poultry industry. In the June of 2002, 18.6 millions of pounds of beef were recalled due to detection of E.coli O157:H7. In early 1991, Roger Videro, the inspector of general of the USDA, addressed this issue in Conference to Food Technologists as the unintentionally ‘attack’ their own food. Whether unintentional or the act of a disgruntled employee or radical group , the physical, psychological, and economic impact of such events mirrors the goals of most terrorist activities. [Food safety website]

One positive outcome of our increased awareness of the threat of biological attack may be limiting the number of cases of unintentional contamination of the food supply. In October 2002, a Pennsylvania food company voluntarily recalled the approximately about 27.4 million pounds of fresh and frozen ready-to-eat chicken and turkey products that may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. (Food Safety website)

Anthrax is a disease that affects virtually all mammals. Ruminants are highly susceptible and can rapidly develop fatal septicemia from infection. In cattle, sheep and goats, sick animals are rarely seen. Pigs and horses are moderately susceptible to infection and carnivores such as dogs and cats are relatively resistant. Birds are almost totally resistant to anthrax because of their relatively high body temperature. Carcasses of animals that die of anthrax bloat and purify rapidly and do not exhibit rigor mortis. Dark, unclotted blood may be present in the mouth, nostrils and anus. Animal to animal transmission is rare, unless the carcass or feces of an infected animal is ingested. Inhalation anthrax is considered extremely rare from normal environmental contamination since sufficient numbers of spores rarely exist in concentrations required to cause infection. [ Quninn, 2002, Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Disease]

It is therefore of vital importance that suspected cases of inhalation anthrax be treated as a probable intentional contamination (terrorist) act.

posted by anonymous visitor thru email

Moderated by unitetosolve.com