In considering the future likelihood of bioterrorism, most experts
suggest that the issue is not whether such
episodes will occur, but when, where, and
how they will happen. There is ample opportunity for access
to these deadly agents, given the high levels of past production
around the world and the ease with which they can be produced in
the future. Moreover, the delivery of these agents can be simple,
efficient, inexpensive and difficult to trace, as illustrated by
the anthrax attacks of 2001. As long as there are conflicts between
people, one must assume that the risk of bioterrorism persists.
As with all threats to the health of the public, priority must be
given to preventing disease occurrence, detecting it quickly when
it occurs, treating those affected, and controlling the spread of
disease to other individuals.