US Biological Attack Said Inevitable

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US Biological Attack Said Inevitable

By

Associated Press Writer

Friday, Feb. 4, 2000; 10:32 p.m. EST

SAN DIEGO –– Terrorists will likely attack the United States with the small

pox or anthrax viruses within the next five to 10 years, says an expert who

warns the country is unprepared.

" We are a long way away from being even modestly prepared, " D.A. ,

director of the s Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies, said

Friday at a conference on bioterrorism. " But we're doing a lot more now than

we did 12 months, or even 6 months ago. "

The two-day conference brings together more than 300 physicians, scientists,

public officials and law enforcement agents to discuss possible ways to

respond in the event of an attack.

" This is a problem that's going to have to be dealt with at the local

level, " said , who was a leader in the effort to eradicate smallpox

and now is mobilizing health workers against bioterrorism. " Doctors and

nurses in emergency rooms will be the first ones to see signs of an

epidemic. They need to know how to deal with it. "

Bioterrorism is the release of deadly bacteria, viruses or products of those

agents. Those that pose the greatest threat are smallpox, anthrax and plague

because they have the potential to spread quickly and cause large numbers of

deaths.

Such an attack is expected in this country within the decade,

said, noting that some governments have stockpiles of the agents. Fringe

groups, meanwhile, have already launched attacks elsewhere, including the

deadly sarin nerve gas attack carried out by a cult on a Tokyo subway in

1995 that killed 12 people.

Policy-makers know how to respond to chemical spills and nuclear plant

leaks, but those hazardous material plans won't work for a bioterrorist

attack, said.

" With a virus, signs aren't apparent for days or weeks, " said.

" The flu-like symptoms may get misdiagnosed until the disease reaches an

epidemic level. "

With shortages of hospital space, vaccines and antibiotics, " there would be

chaos, " he said.

But Margaret Hamburg, who helps direct a bioterrorism initiative of the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, urged people not to panic, saying

the federal government has allocated millions of dollars to help states

prepared for bioterrorism.

" People shouldn't go to bed at night worrying about it, " Hamburg said.

The United States hasn't vaccinated against smallpox since the 1970s, and

there's only enough vaccine left for 7.5 million people and no factories to

make more, said. The development of an anthrax vaccine available

to the public is another 5 years away, he said.

© Copyright 2000 The Associated Press