Terrorist organizations are likely to have developed the ability to use biological and chemical warfare, White House chief of staff Andrew Card said Sunday.
"I'm not trying to be alarmist but we know these terrorist organization ... have probably found the means to use biological and chemical warfare," Card told Fox News Sunday, cited by AFP.
"Americans should be diligent," he advised, adding the government is working "to see that we have ongoing stockpiles of appropriate medication and immunization products."
"And we're going to work hard to make sure that those inventories grow."
The New York Times said in a report Sunday that the US is inadequately prepared to confront bioterrorist attacks, citing statements by a broad range of health experts and officials.
The nation must develop new vaccines and treatments, they say, but it must also fortify its fragile public health infrastructure, the first line of defense in detecting and containing biological threats.
According to the report, bioterrorism — the intentional release of potentially lethal viruses or bacteria into the air, food or water supply — poses daunting technical challenges, and experts say it would be difficult to carry out a successful attack. Still, many believe it is inevitable that someone will eventually try it in the United States.
In the weeks since the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, much of the discussion about bioterrorism has centered on a shortage of antibiotics and vaccines. But the bigger problem, officials agree, is a lack of basic public health infrastructure and preparedness that could thwart a terror attack or limit its effects, said the paper – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
