Brucellosis: new demands in a changing world

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biodefense
• Public Health

Background:

• Brucella species have historically been of military interest due to their aerosol transmission capabilities.
• The emergence of global terrorism has prompted re-evaluation of Brucella as a biowarfare agent.
• Agroterrorism, using Brucella to target livestock, presents a unique and severe economic threat.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated overview of Brucella's potential role in biological warfare, crimes, and terrorism.
• To assess the risks associated with Brucella use, with a focus on agroterrorism.
• To evaluate the public health and economic implications of Brucella as a bioweapon.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive analysis of existing scientific literature.
• A review of publicly available internet-based information sources.

Main Results:

• Brucella's ease of aerosol transmission makes it a viable biowarfare agent.
• Brucellosis has a lower direct medical and public health impact on humans compared to other agents.
• Agroterrorism involving intentional livestock infection could lead to substantial economic losses.

Conclusions:

• Despite global efforts to ban weapons of mass destruction, bioterrorism and agroterrorism remain persistent dangers.
• Attacks targeting agricultural infrastructure pose a significant and ongoing threat.
• Preparedness for novel threats like agroterrorism is crucial for national security.