U.S. Is Unprepared for Bioterror Attack, Panel Says
Associated Press
WASHINGTON—The U.S. isn't prepared for a biological terrorist attack, a congressionally mandated panel said in a report released Tuesday.
The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation gave the Obama administration a failing grade for its efforts to prepare for and respond to a biological attack, such as the release of deadly viruses or bacteria.
"Nearly a decade after Sept. 11, 2001...and one month after the Christmas Day bombing attempt, the United States is failing to address several urgent threats, especially bioterrorism," said former Sen. Bob Graham, chairman of the commission. "Each of the last three administrations has been slow to recognize and respond to the biothreat. But we no longer have the luxury of a slow learning curve, when we know al Qaeda is interested in bioweapons."
Retired Air Force Col. Randy Larsen, the commission's executive director, said the poor preparation for the swine flu epidemic in 2009 is proof that the country isn't positioned to respond to something more serious. Col. Larsen pointed to the early shortage of H1N1 vaccine despite a six-month warning from health officials that the disease would be potentially deadly.
(More here.)
WASHINGTON—The U.S. isn't prepared for a biological terrorist attack, a congressionally mandated panel said in a report released Tuesday.
The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation gave the Obama administration a failing grade for its efforts to prepare for and respond to a biological attack, such as the release of deadly viruses or bacteria.
"Nearly a decade after Sept. 11, 2001...and one month after the Christmas Day bombing attempt, the United States is failing to address several urgent threats, especially bioterrorism," said former Sen. Bob Graham, chairman of the commission. "Each of the last three administrations has been slow to recognize and respond to the biothreat. But we no longer have the luxury of a slow learning curve, when we know al Qaeda is interested in bioweapons."
Retired Air Force Col. Randy Larsen, the commission's executive director, said the poor preparation for the swine flu epidemic in 2009 is proof that the country isn't positioned to respond to something more serious. Col. Larsen pointed to the early shortage of H1N1 vaccine despite a six-month warning from health officials that the disease would be potentially deadly.
(More here.)
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