Bioterrorism prevention

See also Abu Dhabi INTERPOL meeting boosts regional police capacity to tackle bioterrorism Bioterrorism news 6 February Europe - Anthrax contaminated heroin spreads British authorities today warned drug users that heroin in London was highly likely to be contaminated with anthrax, after a first confirmed case there and following nine deaths in Scotland. Read more... 5 February Philippines - Abu Sayyaf, communists accused of using biological weapons Manila : Bandits and communist rebels should be censured for using biological weapons and landmines, a local paper said. Read more... 5 February International - Five infectious diseases that might re-emerge Dreaded infectious diseases of the past have largely been kept at bay by antibiotics and other medical advances; these diseases still linger, though, and could pose a threat – either because some parents refuse to vaccinate their kids owing to concerns about possible links between such vaccination and autism (Mumps), or because terrorists might use the pathogens in a bioterror attack (small pox). Read more... 5 February France - Un nouveau plan de bataille contre la bombe sale Confrontée au spectre tant redouté d'un attentat à la bombe «sale» ou d'un accident industriel majeur, la France cargue les voiles. Selon nos informations, une enveloppe de 150 millions d'euros a été débloquée pour développer un vaste plan de bataille visant à protéger la population. [Confronted by the danger of a 'dirty bomb', France is developing a comprehensive battle plan with the view of protecting the civilian population.] Read more... 5 February US - Health Agency Plans Summit on U.S. Biological Threat Preparations The U.S. Health and Human Services Department next week plans to conduct a summit with other government entities as it works to reassess the nation's strategy for producing treatments for biological weapons materials and other public health threats Read more... Read more news... Read more about our sponsor... INTERPOL’s Bioterrorism Prevention Programme is made possible  by a substantial grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Publications   Bioterrorism Incident Pre-Planning & Response Guide   Factsheet      Safe samples of agents that could be used in CBRN attacks Castor beans can be found in nature and used as a biological weapon. Biosecurity and biosafety are essential to the prevention of bioterrorism. INTERPOL provides training with practical exercises designed to prevent and respond to the bioterrorist threat.

Biological agents have been used as weapons for centuries – it is only recently, however, that they have become increasingly potent and dangerous in the hands of terrorists.  

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Bioterrorism poses obvious challenges for civilian authorities. Law enforcement agencies, although at the forefront of the battle, need to work with other agencies in a general co-ordinated response.

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INTERPOL was one of the first organizations to realize the imminent danger to global security posed by bioterrorism. Fighting terrorism in all its forms is one of INTERPOL's priorities.

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International training sessions form a key element of INTERPOL’s Bioterrorism Prevention Programme, made possible by a substantial grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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Battling a covert menace such as bioterrorism is a difficult task and calls for local, national and international institutions working hand-in-glove to counter the threat.

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There are many resources available online for anyone wishing to learn more about bioterrorism and the means of fighting it. INTERPOL has published a collection of resources related to various aspects of the bioterrorist threat.

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INTERPOL regularly puts together a sample of external news items related to bioterrorism.

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