Bioterrorism Preparedness for Malaysian Environment

Vikneswaran M

doi:10.4172/2167-0374.1000138

Abstract

The threat of bioterrorism focuses attention on overall preparedness to address the challenges posed by new and reemerging infectious diseases. Bioterrorism scenarios illustrate the diversity of disciplines and perspectives required to confront these threats, whether naturally occurring or purposely caused. Response to bioterrorism has become a vital agenda for Malaysian. As a Malaysian citizen we should be prepared and know how to response when bioterrorism attack occurs. The study was conducted to discover the possible threat and evaluate the readiness plans that are possible for the Malaysian environment. The responding plan were identified and recommended in this study. The study was conducted mainly through literature survey which was referred to main official documents as primary source, journals and books as secondary source. The study had some limitation in accessing to some of the classified documents especially from the government officials. In conclusion, there is a need to implement research and development that comes together with the involvement of various relevant agencies that are feasible in this process. Prevention needs to be impart right from the first stage. This is so important in terms of counter measure and control of bioterrorism activity.

Highlights

What is bioterrorism? As defined by the Centers for Disease Control, it is the “intentional or threatened use of bacteria, fungi, or toxins from living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals, and plants,” and involves “intimidation of nations or people to accomplish political or social ends [1].As part of CBRNe threat the biological warfare became more complex and dangerous in recent centuries
Countries began to build up weapons which were much more efficient and less likely to cause virus to the incorrect or wrong party such as in bioterrorism
In knowledge preparedness the Malaysian should enhance to handle all types of risk that were possible from bioterrorism

Summary

Introduction

What is bioterrorism? As defined by the Centers for Disease Control, it is the “intentional or threatened use of bacteria, fungi, or toxins from living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals, and plants,” and involves “intimidation of nations or people to accomplish political or social ends [1].As part of CBRNe threat the biological warfare became more complex and dangerous in recent centuries. Centering on the bioterrorism matter, the use of strange and little recognized germ for causing disaster is usually selected by the bioterrorist [2]. One view underestimates them and regards them as weapon whose effects and potential danger to humanity cannot be compared with those of nuclear weapons. The other stresses their danger, but their relative ease of production and use (compared to nuclear weapons), especially in local wars. Such a view stresses the difficulty of controlling the production and use of biological weapons which enhancing their potential danger [2]

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Methods

Conclusion