Notwithstanding such weapons of mass destruction as nuclear bombs, enhanced radiation bombs or chemical bombs, biological weapons have recently threatened the world community at large. The recent terrorists attack on WTC in the United States of America and , later the threat of anthrax have dawned a new era in the horizon of terrorism. Biological Weapons (BWs) which have been developed and tested provide a relatively simple and rather inexpensive means to terrorists for attacking not only people but also animals and crops over large areas. It is not a far-fetched imagination that such use of BWs may lead to man-made epidemics that will introduce bio-engineered agents into human beings and also animals and plants. If such a weapon is used by a terrorist or any inimical state, especially in a country like India where population density is high, it could cause a catastrophe which may be unparalleled in the history of our great nation.

There are many instances in the world history where biological means were used to recapitulate the enemy. Dead bodies of men and animals used to be thrown out of the walled cities or forts to stop the advancing enemy. Small pox contaminated blankets were also used to spread disease amongst the enemy rank and file. If we look into the magnitude of this menace, the ratio of war wounds to sickness was 1:67 on the Indo-Burmese front during the World War - II. In the modern history, some followers of Osama bin Laden had contaminated the drinking water and salad bars in Oregon town in USA with salmonella in 1984. Fortunately, nobody died. However, 700 to 800 people fell ill with nausea, diarrhoea and dizziness. If we take examples in India, the Bhopal Gas tragedy (1984) and plague in Surat which claimed thousands of lives were biological in origin. Keeping in view the catastrophe the above incidents had created, could the nation afford a repeat of the same? This brings us to the conclusion that we must educate ourselves about the kind of threat that exists. Not only innocent civilians but armies are also vulnerable to this emerging threat. It is relevant to note here that Indian Army is one of the pioneers in the country in the training, research and development of defensive means to fight against biological weapons.

It is prudent to know the characteristics of BWs. These weapons have an unpredictable effect and cause universal damage. The effects could be fatal to terrorists as well as the target population unless either of them is immunised against them. BWs produce results slowly and need incubation period. It could be easily discerned that BWs can be used as weapons of mass destruction. Use of BWs may be termed as cost-effective if the existing BWs are used. Of course, tonnes of weapon material is required to produce the desired casualties which may be beyond the capabilities of a terrorist organisation unless it is state sponsored or funded by an established government. Last but not the least, the detection or the early warning methods have to be installed to protect our environment or the potential targets.

Awareness about the BWs must be created in the minds of the people. Anthrax, if inhaled, produces initially symptoms similar to flu viz. fever, muscle ache, nausea and cough. Later on, the individual faces difficulty in breathing and develops high fever and shock. Skin injected anthrax produces small itchy bump on skin; sometimes even rashes develop. The lesion fills up and becomes a painless ulcer which characteristically turns black and ultimately kills the infected tissue. Anthrax is, however, a rarely contagious disease.

In the present environment, we must take precautions against salmonella, commonly found in rotten eggs. Botulinum, which could easily be seen in canned meat as brownish frothing substance is, one of the most deadly and fatal toxins. We must guard and protect our food or water from getting contaminated by feces. Overall, good hygiene, sanitation and awareness will safeguard ourselves from the effects of bio-terrorism.

Col SC Tyagi