Covid-19 pandemic: the Secretariat of the Committee on Counter-Terrorism warns against the risk of bioterrorism
The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the vulnerability of modern
societies to viral infections and their potential for disruption. There
is no reason to believe that this lesson will be lost on terrorist
groups, some of which have already been attempting or experimenting with
bioterrorism. The intentional use of a pathogen or other biological
agent for the purpose of terrorism may prove highly effective and cause
damage – both human and economic – on a far grander scale than
“traditional” terrorist attacks, paralyzing societies for prolonged
periods, spreading fear and sowing distrust far beyond those communities
immediately affected.
The response to bioterrorism must be a
coordinated one. It must mobilise a wide range of human and material
resources and therefore require interinstitutional action of the member
States of the Council of Europe. The multiplicity and variety of the
responders require an interconnection of communication systems, which
are essential tools for crisis management. In contrast to
the development of exercises in the nuclear field, there is still little
feedback in the biological field. The training of civil security and
health actors on different types of scenarios is a fundamental element
in the effective implementation of a plan to combat biological attacks.
The response should also include health and legal monitoring based on a
common surveillance system capable of detecting suspicious cases, the
reporting of any abnormal, serious or unusual clinical situations and/or
the development of epidemiological investigation guides. Above all
specific regulations are needed.
All countries are vulnerable to bioterrorism. Its damage is rapid and potentially global. It
is necessary to strengthen preventive bioterrorism measures by means of
competent interinstitutional intervention and effective international
cooperation. The Council of Europe Committee on Counter-Terrorism
(CDCT) will continue to work with all our member States to develop
common legal standards, facilitate contacts among competent authorities,
and organise a coordinated, strengthened response to emerging threats,
including those posed by bioterrorism.
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