Foodborne zoonotic agents and their food bioterrorism potential: Areview

Abstract

Bioterrorism is anact of deliberate release and dissemination of biological agents such as pathogenicmicroorganisms or their products in a naturally occurring or human-modifiedform. Bioterrorist attacks are aimed at causing death, disease or otherbiological malfunction in humans, animals or plants, in order to achievecertain political goals through creating fear and panic among the populationand influencing government’s behaviour. Historical data showed that zoonoticpathogens have been most commonly used as agentsfor bioterrorism. Applied through the food production systems or directly toprocessed foods asbiologicalweapons, zoonotic pathogens canhavefast anddevastating effects on humanhealth with enormous economic andsocial impact. Despite the development of different countermeasuresand the application of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP)systems in the food industry, the bioterrorists’ attacks as intentional actscannot be predicted, but could be avoided by strengthening food control measures.

Potential Role of Zoonoses in Bioterrorism

“…Preventing/responding to bioterrorism needs coordinated efforts among public health, law enforcement, emergency response, and intelligence agencies. Strategies include early detection, diagnostic tests, improving healthcare, safety measures, and research on treatments (Tumbarski 2020). Table 1 enlist the zoonotic diseases that are used in bioterrorism.…”