Based upon your reading of the materials giving, and your own additional research, prepare an essay discussing the use of infectious disease as a weapon of international terror. You should address the following questions:
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of microbes, vis-à-vis destructive "hardware" such as guns and bombs?
• What would be the characteristics of an ideal "weapon bug?" Things to consider:
o Vector (i.e., carried by people, animals, in foodstuff, on other goods?)
o Lethality
o Transmissibility (ease with which it is spread)
o Mode of transmission (airborne, direct contact, indirect contact)
o Arrival mode (airplane, ship, on foot)
o Based upon the above, select an organism. Explain your selection.
o Describe the most effective countermeasures.
o What precautions, if any, should logistics companies take, in addition to those prescribed by government regulation? Explain.
Make full use of sources.
The sources listed below provide a starting point; you should search the Web for additional information. Follow some of the links embedded in the sources. Use a search engine, such as Google or Bing, to locate sources containing key words and concepts.
Fidler, D. (2006). International law, infectious diseases, and globalization. (Appendix B: The impact of globalization on infectious disease emergence and control: Exploring the consequences and opportunities. US Institute of Medicine.) Retrieved on 19 March 2015 fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56586/ *
Hadal, R. (2010). People crossing borders: An analysis of U.S. border protection policies,
Congressional Research Service, retrieved from http://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R41237.pdf
IM (2010). Infectious disease movement in a borderless world (Institute of Medicine Workshop). Retrieved on 21 March 2015 from http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12758/infectious-disease-movement-in-a-borderless-world-workshop-summary*
Khosla, S. (2014). The planet's deadliest infectious diseases, by country (Salon.com., Nov. 1) Retrieved on 21 March 2015 fromhttp://www.salon.com/2014/11/01/the_planets_deadliest_infectious_diseases_by_country_partner/
POTUS (2007). National Strategy for Aviation Security (Office of the President). Retrieved from http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA470339*
SIU (2014). Overview of potential agents of biological terrorism (Southern Illinois University School of Medicine). Retrieved on 21 March 2015 fromhttp://www.siumed.edu/medicine/id/bioterrorism.htm
Palin, P. (2014). Johnson Testimony: Worldwide threats to the Homeland. Homeland Security Watch. Retrieved from http://www.hlswatch.com/2014/09/18/johnson-testimony-worldwide-threats-to-the-homeland/
Parfomak, P. & Frittelli, J. (2007). Maritime security: Potential terrorist attacks and protection priorities (CRS Report). Retrieved on 21 Mar 2015 fromhttp://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/crs/rl33787.pdf *
WHO (2005). Infectious diseases of potential risk for travelers (International Travel and Health, Chap. 5). Retrieved on 21 March 2015 from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2005/9241580364_chap5.pdf*
Write a well-constructed essay. Feel free to use tables and bulleted lists, if appropriate.