Bioterrorism: an overview

Bioterrorism has reached the forefront of the public imagination following recent events across the world. The disaster of 11 September 2001, followed by anthrax letters sent via the US postal system and now renewed tension over Iraq have all brought the possibility of bioterrorism closer. A number of biological agents could be used in a terrorist attack, including anthrax, plague, smallpox and botulinum toxin. The serious diseases that these agents produce have been brought under control in the developed world; however, a lack of protective immunity against such diseases could cause considerable morbidity and mortality if used in a terrorist attack. This essay provides a background to bioterrorism, discusses many of the current points of interest and gives an update to the economic consequences of such an attack.