M a g a z i n e Journal on Chemical and Biological Weapons CBW Volume 2 Number 3 April-June 2009 ISSN: 0974-0619 EDITORIAL INVITED ARTICLES EU Approach to Bio-terrorism Davide Casale M a g a z i n e Journal on Chemical and Biological Weapons COVER STORY CBW Volume 2 Number 3 April-June 2009 Swine Flu: A Potential Pandemic Dr. Reshmi Kazi VIEW POINT Terror Forecast : RNBC Terrorism? Col. R V Athavale COUNTRY PROFILE Chemical and Biological Weapons: A Case Study of Pakistan Dr. Priyanka Singh KALEIDOSCOPE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL NEWS BOOK REVIEW Archana Mishra Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses No. 1, Development Enclave, Rao Tula Ram Marg Delhi Cantt., New Delhi-110 010 Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses http://www.idsa.in Magazine Journal on Chemical and Biological Weapons Volume 2 Number 3 April-June 2009 CBW ISSN: 0974-0619 EDITORIAL 2 INVITED ARTICLES 3 EU Approach to Bio-terrorism Davide Casale COVER STORY 6 Swine Flu: A Potential Pandemic Dr. Reshmi Kazi VIEW POINT 9 Terror Forecast : RNBC Terrorism? Col. R V Athavale COUNTRY PROFILE 20 Chemical and Biological Weapons: A Case Study of Pakistan Dr. Priyanka Singh KALEIDOSCOPE 24 CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL NEWS 25 BOOK REVIEW 44 Archana Mishra Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses April-June 2009 1 Editorial With the upgradation of H1N1 (Swine Flu) outbreak to the level of a pandemic, health preparedness measures have received renewed Editor & focus across the world. Director General In the cover story, Dr. Reshmi Kazi outlines the IDSA H1N1 outbreak and highlights the mitigation efforts that were in place. The invited article N S Sisodia highlights the need for health preparedness measures in the wake of a bioterrorist attack, particularly from the EU’s point of view. Col. Athavale in his article points out various Executive Editor measures that India should undertake to respond to a terrorist attack that uses Weapons of Mass Ajey Lele Destruction (WMD). This issue also features other regular sections like country profile, kaleidoscope, chemical Assistant Editor and biological news and book review. Monalisa Joshi As per our reader’s feedback, we wish to publish issues in the future that focus on a subject of particular concern. Editorial Assistance Contributions and feedbacks are welcome and can be addressed to: [email protected] Gunjan Singh April-June 2009 2 Invited Articles Bio-terrorism has emerged in recent years as a key challenge for European security. To respond to this threat, the European Union (EU) has EU Approach to engaged in the endeavour of preventing and protecting from possible bioterrorist attacks, Bio-terrorism fostering preparedness in its Member States through a comprehensive approach. The nature of the bioterrorist threat for Europe Davide Casale is peculiar. In fact, a biological attack could likely affect several Member States of the EU The author is Researcher with simultaneously and have considerable economic the University of Turin, Italy. and social impact. Therefore, the coordination of Member States’ responses to deal with the Bio-terrorism has emerged in recent occurrence of a biological accident emerges years as a key challenge for European as vital. security. The Health Security Committee (HSC) is responsible for coordinating The first concrete action to protect the health preparedness systems and Union from the menace of bio-terrorism was the establishment of the Health Security emergency response plans and raising Committee (HSC) in November 2001. The the alert in the event of a health-related mandate of the HSC is to ensure coordination incident of EU concern. The approach and exchange of information among Member to biological risks suggested by the EC States in the case of the release of biological or in the Green Paper is an “all-hazards other agents which may threaten public health. approach”. The HSC is responsible for coordinating health preparedness systems and emergency response plans and raising the alert in the event of a health-related incident of EU concern. By means of a series of Communications (i.e. Communication 2003/320 in June 2003, Communication 2004/701 in October 2004 and Communication 2005/605 in November 2005) the European Commission (EC) has developed its strategy to enhance intra- community cooperation against the bioterrorist threat in various respects. Although such communications are not legally binding, they outline the key policy tendencies of the EU and put forward guidelines for Member States’ action. Firstly, with regard to the protection of public health, the EC requests that national health authorities implement measures (e.g. effective surveillance systems, systems for prompt notifications of information) in Member States to create the capabilities for rapid detection and identification of deliberate releases of biological agents. Since the EU is a border-free area, rapid notification and April-June 2009 3 exchange of information in the event of Since a large number of specific measures on biological threats are crucial components of an bio-safety and civil protection have already effective response. Accordingly, the creation of been emplaced at either the European and the a Community programme of cooperation on Member State level, the EC emphasizes that preparedness and response to biological and the priority is not to adopt new legislation. chemical agent attacks (BICHAT programme) Rather, it is crucial to adapt existing tools to has been essential together with the enable them to efficiently respond to deliberate establishment of a relevant rapid alert system biological attacks. Therefore, tools such as peer (“RAS-BICHAT”) for notifications of incidents evaluations, awareness raising campaigns and involving the deliberate release of biological supportive financial programmes should be and chemical agents. developed first. Similarly, with a view to enhancing preparedness The Green Paper highlights the need of a and consequence management capabilities close collaboration with the private sector. for civil protection, the EC has introduced Accordingly, sharing information and best the Monitoring and Information Centre practices with private actors (for example, (MIC), a special unit that receives requests for pharmaceutical industry, food industries, assistance from the countries hit by a disaster SMEs) should be promoted. In the view of the and forwards them to all Member States. Also, EC, the European biotechnology industry and a number of specific community rapid alert the bio-research community have to become systems (operating as information exchange part of the European solution to the problems networks) for a swift response to emergency posed by biological risks. situations have been established (e.g. ECURIE system for radiological emergency, EWRS for The EC also underlines the necessity of communicable diseases). developing a European analytical capacity for a multi-sector response to the bioterrorist threat However, the turning point of the EU fight bringing together expertise from different fields against bio-terrorism was the Green Paper on involved (scientific research, law enforcement, Bio-preparedness of July 11, 2007. Through this military, health, environmental authorities, instrument the EC launched a comprehensive etc.). Equally, the security of facilities housing discussion with all relevant stakeholders collections of pathogens should be enhanced. (public health authorities, law enforcers, bio- To this aim, Member States should identify a industry, academia) on possible legislative set of obligatory common minimum-security measures to enhance preparedness and standards for bio-laboratories and the response capabilities to biological threats. It pharmaceutical industry. is to highlight that the Green Paper does not consist of legal binding provisions. Nonetheless, Since the EU seeks to promote scientific progress its principles may eventually be translated into while assuring safety and security, the research future EU legislation. on dangerous pathogens should be rendered secure without obstructing scientific bio-research. The approach to biological risks suggested by Therefore, the Green Paper recommends the EC in the Green Paper is an “all-hazards the adoption of bio-security and bio-safety approach”. This means to enhance preparedness guidelines to enable public health authorities and and response capabilities to biological threats law enforcers to monitor bio-research and the regardless of the origin of the risk (which could dissemination of pathogens for scientific use and be the naturally occurring release of biological verify their compliance with security standards. agents or the malicious use of dual-use expertise With the same view, a common European and technology for criminal intents). The aim professional code of conduct for researchers is is to set up a European strategy for a generic envisaged to raise awareness on possible misuse preparedness to cope with all crisis situations. of bio-research for criminal intents. April-June 2009 4 Another key component of the EU bio- preparedness is the improvement of European surveillance capacities. Since the EU is a single common market where capitals, goods and persons enjoy cross-border free circulation, the freedom of movement shall be ensured as well as security and health protection at the same time. Hence, Member States are required to adopt a series of measures aiming at improving public health surveillance, early warning and detection capabilities. Finally, with regard to the development of response