Germs of war

THE LATEST THREATS of possible, but not yet definitively established, connections between germs and terror tactics should not be allowed to cloud logical reasoning and the preparedness of public health authorities across the world. Clearly, an intensified military atmosphere is also the breeding ground for alarm. Reports from the U.S. of human exposure to the dreaded anthrax only escalate long-felt fears of the possible deployment of biological weapons in warfare. Broadly put, such weapons are ones that infect the targets through disease-causing viruses and bacteria. To effectively counter the micro-agents of terror, urgent action in a coordinated manner through exchange of information and sharing of resources is called for. Such an exercise is necessary as it would mark the commencement of an arduous engagement of a hitherto untested dimension of warfare. In contrast to the manner in which wars have been fought, the possibility of the use of micro-organisms implies a wider spectrum of threat, none of which can be ignored and, ironically, none of which should be exaggerated. Charting out preventive measures and heightening the level of readiness should form the beginning of a process that also aims at increasing levels of public confidence in the working of state systems.

As public fear and panic, the immediate results of terror tactics, tend to stun systems into inaction, the need of the hour is substantiated information on the source of the latest anthrax attacks on individuals. American health authorities have done well in issuing public notices on the precautions to be taken as well as in providing updated public health information on the reported cases. It will also be in order to point out that the earlier occasions of a somewhat similar tactic - the use of the nerve gas, sarin, by the Japanese terror group, Aum Shinrikyo, in 1994 and 1995 - resulted in less than intended fatalities, raising serious questions on the effectiveness of delivery mechanisms. Reports of the possible involvement of states that have flouted international conventions on weapon systems are indeed serious charges that require coordinated international efforts in order to vaporise the possible space available to sinister-minded terror groups. Such efforts gain a sense of urgency in that given the close network that non-state players tend to put in place, an `advance' made available to one grouping is soon at the command of several others. Curbing the possibilities of terrorist groups either developing or gaining control over chemical and biological weapons is also important as such a development will transform the striking powers of terrorist organisations from that of limited damage to mass destruction. Given the complexities involved in this operation, the role of intelligence agencies in collecting and presenting unimpeachable evidence is vital, followed by strong international action.

In the event of natural or mass disasters, public health systems get stretched to their limits. Against the backdrop of an already challenged public health infrastructure in the country, the Union Government's recent alert to all State Governments must be followed up with a serious appraisal of both the possible threats as well as the current status of the nation's health system - both public and private - to counter the possible infectious agents listed: anthrax, typhoid and cholera. There is also the need to evolve contingency plans that should form part of a larger and more comprehensive public health policy. While it should be recognised that ad hoc approaches will not work in effectively checking mass casualties, it is equally important that the feeble line between alert and panic is not transcended. Maintaining vigil and infusing public confidence are important starting points in countering man's vulnerability to methodically-planned carnage by man.

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