Bioterrorism in Latin America and the Caribbean
The risk is slight that a country in Latin America or the Caribbean would be
the direct target of an international terrorist act. Nonetheless, Member States
in the Region identified the need to improve the capacity of their health services
to prepare for and respond to any potential emergencies resulting from biological,
chemical or radiological (BCR) terrorism. In the case of biological terrorism,
effective and timely detection and response in any one country is of paramount
importance for the entire region. The threat is international.
It is important to place the threat in the context of the Americas. Each year,
diseases such as respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases or a host of other
preventable illnesses claim a far greater toll than is likely to occur from
a biological, chemical or radiological terrorist act in a Latin American or
Caribbean country. Therefore, developing the capacity of the health sector to
address any sudden occurrence of epidemic outbreaks or the release of hazardous
substances, regardless of the cause, is the most effective public health
investment to prepare for acts of terrorism.
What is PAHO Doing?
PAHO
began a broad process of consultation with its Member Countries to respond to
requests for assistance to help prepare for and respond to BCR terrorism. On
24 October 2001, PAHO convened an Advisory Meeting on Bioterrorism. Experts
discussed potential scenarios and developed recommendations to strengthen the
capacity of the countries to face biological terrorism. (Read the Conclusions
of the Advisory Meeting on Bioterrorism).
The principles for managing the health consequences of BCR terrorism were presented
and discussed in the annual meeting of the PAHO/WHO Country Representatives
and Center Directors (based throughout Latin America and the Caribbean).
The curriculum of several training events was modified to reflect these issues.
The health consequences of acts of biological, chemical and radiological terrorism
were introduced into training for PAHO disaster focal points in the country
offices in Latin America. Similar training was provided to the national disaster
management officers in the Ministries of the Health in the Region.
Where can you go for more information?
- A full
listing of PAHO materials on bioterrorism.
- A list of web sites you can consult for more
information on the health threats of biological, chemical or radiological
incidents.
