About | Bioterrorism

As suggested by the name, bioterrorism is the deliberate release of biological agents such as viruses, bacteria or toxins to cause illness or death.

Animals and crops are considered likely targets of bioterrorist activity, with livestock diseases deployed to damage the economy and cause public concern.

The Centre for Disease Control categorises the following as Category A agents, posing a risk to national security:

• Tularemia or "rabbit fever" – Highly infectious and life-threatening
• Anthrax – Non-contagious disease. Notably used by persons unknown in a series of mail attacks in 2001
• Smallpox – Currently only existing in laboratory cultures, but would be a deadly weapon if released once again
• Botulinum toxin – A highly toxic substance that is readily available, due to its use in “botox” cosmetic procedures
• Bubonic plague – The disease that caused the Black Death in Medieval Europe and with a long history of use as a biological warfare agent
• Viral hemorrhagic fevers – Such as Ebola

The single largest recent incident of biological terrorism was the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack in Oregon, USA. Followers of Indian mystic Osho intentionally infected restaurants with salmonella, as part of a plan to incapacitate the electorate and win local elections. 751 people were infected, but there were no fatalities.