The consideration of biological warfare has moved from the conventional military theatre to a terrorist operated bioterrorism event that's puts millions of people in cities across the globe under the threat of artificially acquired, life threatening infectious disease scenario. Biological warfare diseases are likely to present as one of a limited number of clinical syndromes. Plague, Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B and tularemia may present as pneumonia. Unfortunately many biological warfare diseases (Venezuelan Equine encephalitis, Q-fever, Brucellosis) may present as fever of unknown origin (FUO). Moreover, other diseases (anthrax, plague, tularaemia, smallpox) have undifferentiated febrile prodromes. Physicians must be able to identify early victims and recognize patterns of disease. The speaker will cover the clinical aspects of three most important infectious diseases caused by biological warfare agents: anthrax, plague and smallpox.

Recognition of need for local, regional, and national preparedness for threat against bioterrorism provides an opportunity to enhance the public health system and its linkages with current and new partners.