In the introduction, reference will be made to the concept of "asymmetric threats", and a brief list of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which constitute a perpetual asymmetric threat, will be presented. Next, an approach to the potential human victims of an attack involving weapons of mass destruction compared with an attack involving conventional weapons, the cost factors for equally effective quantities, and the motives of terrorists and their potential targets, will be made. In particular, after giving an adequate definition of the term "bioterrorism" and referring to historical data for the use of biological weapons, an approach to their special features will be made, and their differences with chemical weapons will be pointed out. Finally, in this part, the different types of biological weapons, including those that may be used in order to harm food safety, and possible means of food contamination, will be presented. With regard to crisis response planning for facing bioterrorism attacks, the National Response Plan for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Threats, Incidents and Consequences, the Special Plan for Managing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Threats of the Hellenic Police under the code name "Thiseas", will be presented, and all authorities involved, which take action in the implementation of the aforementioned plans, will be listed. Conclusively, reference will be made to how one can deal with biological hazards and to the use of the Support Team for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Threats and Incidents, which was constituted by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection for this aim.
展开▼
