Bioterrorism preparedness and the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN)

Abstract

The anthrax events that occurred in the USA in 2001 demonstrated that bioterrorism remains a real possibility in the modern world. Although Australia was spared the genuine anthrax events, we did experience many hoax events and massive disruption. Biological agents can cause terror not only by the real risk when one is released, but also by the social and economic disruption resulting from credible threats. Laboratory capacity is fundamental to the bioterrorist response and members of the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN) had a major role in the Australian white powder incidents.