Coronavirus and Bioterrorism. In 2013 the world avoided a horrific global outbreak of Ebola. Thanks to thousands of selfless health workers the innate characteristic of the Ebola virus and a lot of luck.
Bill Gates said if anything kills over 10 million people in the next few decades. It is most likely to be a highly infectious and epidemic virus rather than missiles nor other War weapons But microbes.
The source of the conronavirus could be a natural epidemic like Ebola or it could be bioterrorism. He warns that the respiratory pathogen can kill 30 million people in less than a year. They gave this warning few years ago .
Looking back at history of epidemics. Hispanic flu back in 1918 was spread through the air and more than 33 million people died in that global epidemic. Based on the Ebola outbreak that killed more than 10,000 people in Africa.There were no systems to prepare for a global epidemic.
Ebola was contained due to ;
Ebola was contained due to several factors. We are grateful for lots of heroic work where the people who volunteered. We are lucky that Ebola does not spread through the air by the time you are contagious. Most people are so sick that they are bedridden. It did not get into large urban areas
With a coronavirus people can catch the virus but they feel well enough to get on the plane go to a market or watch a movie instead of being bedridden like an Ebola.
Historical Bioterrorism
Looking back at historical biological terrorism, The first publicly recognized years bio attack was perpetrated by the Rajneeshees in 1984. But the attack was not officially attributed as a Biological Weapon attack until 1997. In 1984 followers of Indian guru Rajneeshees , who had open views on spiritual sexual freedom deliberately contaminated salad bars with Salmonella in Dallas, Oregon causing at least 750 unknown illnesses and 45 Hospitalized.
The on Cult attempted multiple bio attacks in Japan during the early to mid-1990s releasing Botulism causing toxins, then releasing Sarin Nerve Gas in a Tokyo subway that injured 50 and killed 12 people.
In the United States , Powdered Anthrax was employed through the USPS directed to several news organizations and Senators injuring 17 and killing five people in 2001. Biotechnology today allows Biological Weapon development to be conducted in extremely small areas with easily obtainable equipment.
CRISPR Technology
CRISPR is a technology for genome editing in available online for about $150 for biohackers. This has been available in the last few years. This relatively low barriers to entry combined with a high potential for casualties. Make the biological weapon terror threat important to assess correctly.
Terrorists can and have attacked a vast array of targets with anything from mild pathogens to very deadly ones. Instilling fear in making a bold statement about the group’s ability to inflict damage.
“There is no need to panic but we need to get moving because time is not on our side.” said Bill Gates few years ago.
Can Coronavirus be used for Bioterrorism?
Yes , but I hope that it isn’t being prepared is key.
The key factors are;
- Early diagnosis 2) Quarantine the People that are Exposed
Thank you for reading . Be safe and be healthier !