Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

THREAT FROM EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

ROGER W. PARKER

DoD Veterinary Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory, Fort Sam Houston, Texas

1 AGROTERRORISM POTENTIAL OF EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The US National Strategy for Homeland Security identifies agriculture, food, and water among the critical infrastructure sectors that must be protected. Agroterrorism is an intentional criminal act perpetrated on some segment of the agriculture or food industry intended to inflict harm (e.g. public health crisis or economic disruption). Although the use of biological weapons against targets by state-sponsored terrorists, rouge terrorist groups, and even isolated individuals is highly unpredictable, there have been attempts to assess risks [1]. In June 1999, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) convened a meeting of national experts to review potential general criteria for selecting the bioagents that pose the greatest threats to civilians, concluding in a list divided into three categories (A, B, and C) based on such criteria as threat to national security, public health impact (disease and death), production and delivery potential, public perception as related to public fear and potential civil disruption, and special public health preparedness needs [2]. Many of the agents are associated with emerging infectious diseases [3], an important subset because of potential limited experience in management of cases or outbreaks and lack of appropriate resources [4]. Emerging ...