[Bioterrorism].

Abstract

The terror attacks of the September 11, 2001 in the U.S.A followed by the proliferation of anthrax using mail in some US cities and abroad, demonstrated the complex, devastating and harmful nature of terror activity. The use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in terrorist activities is a reality as is the use of biological weapons (BW) in bioterrorism. Cyberterrorism is another form of non-conventional terrorism. The health care system throughout all its different components and layers--public health, primary care, hospitals, first responders etc., must be prepared. The complete network must have a comprehensive contingency plan for any possible BW scenario. The health care system must cope successfully with the challenge of early diagnosis of extraordinary illness or outbreak of disease, having the ability to define any bioterror event and to conduct appropriate risk assessments. It is of great importance to prepare in advance a comprehensive coordinated plan with all other governmental ministries and agencies. In order to succeed it is crucial that the top decision makers--the Prime Minister and government members and top ranking officials at the Ministry of Health, be committed, and continuously proactive in the complicated and lengthy process of preparing the health care system for a bioterrorism event.