Citation

Jansen HJ, Breeveld FJ, Stijnis C, Grobusch MP. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 2014; 20(6): 488-496.

Affiliation

Expertise Centre Force Health Protection, Ministry of Defence, Doorn, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1469-0691.12699

PMID

24890710

Abstract

Biological weapons achieve their intended target effects through the infectivity of disease-causing infectious agents. The ability to use biological agents in warfare is prohibited by the Biological and Toxin Weapon Convention. Bioterrorism is defined as the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other agents used to cause illness or death in people, but also animals or plants. It aims at creating casualties, terror, societal disruption or economic loss inspired by ideological, religious or political beliefs. Success of bioterroristic attempts will be defined by the measure of societal disruption and panic, and not necessarily by the sheer number of casualties. Thus, sickening even only few individuals using crude methods may be sufficient as long as it creates the impact they aim for. Assessing bioterrorism threats and motives have been described before. Biocrime implies the use of a biological agent to kill or sicken a single or small group of individuals, motivated by revenge or monetary gain by extortion, rather than political, ideological, religious or other beliefs. The likelihood of a successful bioterrorist attack is not very large given the technical difficulties and constraints. However, even if the number of casualties likely may be limited, the impact of a bioterrorist attack can still be high. Measures aimed at enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities and capacities alongside training and education will both benefit the ability of society to combat "regular" infectious diseases outbreaks as well as mitigating the effects of bioterrorist attacks. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en