Bioterrorism, 2001

Bioterrorism, 2001

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations discusses US preparedness for a bioterrorism event in a series of hearings over a few weeks.

2001

While certain speakers disagreed, the general consensus was that the US is not prepared to combat a biological weapon of mass destruction. The front line against bioterrorism is the public health infrastructure of a nation. Bioterrorism funding must prioritize improving surge capacity, fostering detection capabilities in laboratories, and training medical workers to recognize the signs of biological weapons attacks. There is significant concern around anthrax and smallpox as weapons candidates.