Open AccessDeliberate releases of biological agents: initial lessons for Europe from events in the United States
Author(s) -
Richard Harling,
B Twisselmann,
Nima AsgariJirhandeh,
Damian Morgan,
Nancy Lightfoot,
Mark Reacher,
A Nicoll,
Deliberate Release Teams
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
euro surveillance/eurosurveillance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.766
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1560-7917
pISSN - 1025-496X
DOI - 10.2807/esm.06.11.00384-en
Subject(s) - covert , european commission , political science , european region , biological warfare , european union , medicine , environmental health , international trade , geography , business , law , philosophy , linguistics , regional science
The experience of autumn 2001, when anthrax spores were released in the postal system, had considerable consequences in the United States and in Europe. The threat of covert deliberate releases against civilians has become a reality. In Europe, despite the growing number of criminal hoaxes, no cases of anthrax linked to deliberate releases have been reported, and the only contaminated letters were addressed to American embassies abroad. Nevertheless, the time has come for Europe to set up efficient and timely plans to respond to bioterrorism, under the coordination of the European Commission.