Department of Defense Capabilities Supporting Bioterrorism Response

Abstract

As the 20th century drew to a close, most biological defense professionals, both military and civilian, were in agreement that the probability of a bioterrorist event occurring in the United States was not a matter of if, but when. However, few expected to be engaged in countering the effects of a bioterrorist attack in October 2001. Although it is still unclear whether the anthrax letters were directly related to the more dramatic terrorist events of September 11 or merely took advantage of the “opportunity” they presented, the line has been crossed and there is no turning back. “If” is now behind us, and we are left with the burning issues of “who, where, when next, and why” (personal observation).