Terrorism: Foot-And-Mouth Disease as an Option

摘要

This paper reviews the definitions, vulnerabilities, terrorist ends, way, and means strategies, potential repercussions, and the potential solutions needed to remedy the threat of terrorist introduction of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) into a United States animal population. Most recently, the U.S. has not paid much attention to terrorist threats against agricultural targets despite their acknowledged vulnerability and strategic importance. Attitudes have changed however as both the public and private sector now acknowledge that the nation's crops, livestock, and food supply are susceptible to biological attack. Potential scenarios for the intentional introduction of FMD into the United States cattle, swine, and sheep population are proposed. They are examples of agricultural biological terrorism aimed at the economic infrastructure of the United States. Actual outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Great Britain and Taiwan are models of what could happen if this occurred in this country. Agricultural Bio-terrorism (ABT) is a significant security concern for the United States. A rapid assessment and coordinated response by local, state, federal and Department of Defense assets is critical to mitigate potential damage to the U.S. economy.