2008 Woodie Awards
Smallpox is no small threat
Bioterror is a real and effective weapon that has been around for centuries
Susan Maltby
Issue date: 11/17/04 Section: Opinion
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Bioterror is a real and effective weapon that has been around for centuries.
Ever since they first traded pox-filled blankets with nNative Americans, the U.S. government has known the effectiveness of germ warfare and bioterror.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services handed out $232 million in biodefense contracts to fund development of new vaccines against smallpox, plague and tularemia. A major outbreak of any of these diseases would spell huge catastrophye for this country and the world.
Smallpox is no small threat to humanity.
Throughout history, this disease was effective in wiping out entire nations and empires. Twenty years ago, smallpox was eradicated worldwide through the World Health Organization's vaccination program.
Since then, the U.S. government has halted the required smallpox immunization. Today, many experts agree that nations such as Iraq and North Korea may have acquired stocks of smallpox virus to use as a biological weapon.
Most people have no immunity to smallpox. If terrorists released an aerosol form of the virus in a crowded place such as an airport, the result could be widespread disease of horrific proportions.
Today, chemical and biological warfare is a growing problem of major concern.
In 1995, sarin nerve gas was released on a Tokyo subway.
In 2001, anthrax was intentionally distributed through the United States. mail.
Last year, the global SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak showed us just how swiftly an airborne disease can travel around the world.
Before the SARS outbreak was contained, a total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with the disease between November 2002 and July 2003.
According to the the World Health Organization (WHO), 774 people were killed by SARS.
Deadly disease outbreaks are very real and the threat of bioterrorism is deadly serious.
Government measures and funding to respond and prepare for bioterror are important to strengthen the existing public health system.
Ever since they first traded pox-filled blankets with nNative Americans, the U.S. government has known the effectiveness of germ warfare and bioterror.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services handed out $232 million in biodefense contracts to fund development of new vaccines against smallpox, plague and tularemia. A major outbreak of any of these diseases would spell huge catastrophye for this country and the world.
Smallpox is no small threat to humanity.
Throughout history, this disease was effective in wiping out entire nations and empires. Twenty years ago, smallpox was eradicated worldwide through the World Health Organization's vaccination program.
Since then, the U.S. government has halted the required smallpox immunization. Today, many experts agree that nations such as Iraq and North Korea may have acquired stocks of smallpox virus to use as a biological weapon.
Most people have no immunity to smallpox. If terrorists released an aerosol form of the virus in a crowded place such as an airport, the result could be widespread disease of horrific proportions.
Today, chemical and biological warfare is a growing problem of major concern.
In 1995, sarin nerve gas was released on a Tokyo subway.
In 2001, anthrax was intentionally distributed through the United States. mail.
Last year, the global SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak showed us just how swiftly an airborne disease can travel around the world.
Before the SARS outbreak was contained, a total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with the disease between November 2002 and July 2003.
According to the the World Health Organization (WHO), 774 people were killed by SARS.
Deadly disease outbreaks are very real and the threat of bioterrorism is deadly serious.
Government measures and funding to respond and prepare for bioterror are important to strengthen the existing public health system.
