Since the terrorism attack of the United States in September 11, 2001 the US government has been keen to prevent another atta
Assignment
Question 1 a.
Since the terrorism attack of the United States in September 11, 2001 the US government has been keen to prevent another attack. Agro terrorism is a major threat to the country and would lead to loss of food security as well as a decline in the economy especially in states where they solely depends on agriculture for their livelihood (Monke, 2004). Although no Agro terrorist attacks have occurred in the United States, the government together with other private businesses are not taking the threat lightly. The government has come up with measures to counter the threats of terrorism but the system designed to counter natural or accidental outbreaks is not sufficient to counter intentional attacks.
According to Monke (2004) the government is well aware that an attack can occur in any link of the agricultural production line. All products coming from a foreign country are kept outside the country until they are inspected to ensure that they are free from any harmful biological agents. This measure is the first line of defence though with intentional attack, the terrorist is likely to induce the biological agents from within the country to avoid inspection. The diseases found at the border are those that can be easily eradicated by either quarantine or elimination.
The government has carried out research on the possible harmful bacterial agents in both plants and animals. The government has also extended the knowledge to farmers, veterinarians and the state university to allow them easily identify symptoms and offer the necessary precautions. All these system have been placed for to prepare for a terrorism attack (Monke, 2004). It is likely that the farmers and the veterinarians are not well trained to handle various biological agents especially those they are not familiar with. In most cases, biological agents used by terrorist are those that have been modified to spread fast and are mainly resistant.
The United States has been threatened of a terrorist attack, but it has never occurred. The Department of Homeland Security together with other government agencies have put measures in place to prepare for such an attack. However, given that the attack has never occurred in this country, it would be difficult to verify that the country is well prepared for an intentional attack. Terrorist attacks by use of biological agents are more intense, spread faster and are harder to control unlike natural and accidental outbreaks which might take time for the symptoms to be realized and take a longer time to spread from one geographical region to another especially in plants. Farmers who are supposed to report cases of such diseases occurring in the event of a spreading pathogen are at times reluctant to do so due to the measures that are taken to eradicate the pest. This might require quarantine or burning of all the animals or plants to control the spread of the pathogen. This risks the economic stability of the farmer making them non-compliant.
Question 1 b.
Intentionally introduced agro terrorism agents are different from accidental or naturally introduced agricultural pests. Most intentionally introduced agro terrorism agents are biologically engineered. This way they can be able to spread at a faster rate as compared to naturally introduced agricultural pests having a higher magnitude in their destruction. They are able to spread from one geographical region to another at a faster rate especially in animals which are constantly transported to other regions. The symptoms appear faster because they have a low incubating period making it hard for them to be controlled.
Due to the fact that most of them are biologically engineered, they have a higher effect as compared to naturally introduced pests. They cause diseases at a higher magnitude making it possible for the disease to be transferred from either the plant or the animal to humans. The symptoms caused are hard to treat and mostly require the complete destruction of all affected plants or animals.
Question 2
Botulinum toxin is one of the most poisonous pathogen posing a major threat if used as a biological agent for a terrorist attack. The release of this pathogen in a central processing factory is seen as a possible way for a terrorist attack. This is due to the fact that milk is widely distributed to widely with consumers varying from children to adults. Central processing of milk is a blueprint for a terrorist attack by use a deadly pathogen (Wein & Liu, 2005).
The milk is collected from the farmers twice a day using tankers then the milk is transported to the processing unit where the milk is put in a holding tank. According to Wein & Liu (2005) the introduction of botulinum is possible at this stage where the pathogen could be added to the silos holding raw milk. Given that dilution occurs as periodic replenishment takes place, the pathogen can be added at intervals to ensure that the desired concentrations are maintained. During pasteurization, pathogens are destroyed, but it is only possible to destroy up to 68% of the pathogens leaving those that are resistant to be packaged together with the milk and distributed to the consumers.
Cleaning of the tankers and the holding silos is supposed to be done in 72 hours to eliminate any traces of pathogens and to allow for fresh milk to be received (Wein & Liu, 2005). This prevents contamination of the milk from one batch to another. Though downstream mixing is possible, it is not done in many processing plants. However, this could be a potential point of introduction of pathogens that could lead to large number of deaths.
There are many risks involved in central processing of milk making it an easy target for terrorists. However, scientists can be able to devise ways that would reduce risks thus reducing the chances of contamination and massive deaths that can occur when a deadly pathogen is introduced in milk in considerable amounts. Inspection of milk from the point of loading into the transportation tankers to the point where it is loaded in the holding silos should be well analysed to ensure that it is free from harmful pathogens. Pasteurization does not guarantee the complete elimination of all pathogens and milk should be tested after pasteurization to ensure that it is free from harmful pathogens before packaging and distribution.
Cleaning of the transportation tankers as well as the holding silos should be done more often and thoroughly to ensure that they are free from pathogens. Subsequent tests should be carried out to be sure that the resistant pathogens are completely eliminated. The milk processing area should not be accessible to any unauthorized personnel and the holding silos should be tightly closed to ensure that external components are not introduced. Monitoring of what goes in and out of the silos should be done by use of a digital system that is under constant surveillance.
References
Monke, J. (2004). Agroterrorism: Threats and Preparedness. CRS Report for Congress. August 13, 2004.
Wein, M. & Liu, Y. (2005). Analyzing a Bioterror Attack on the Food Supply: The Case of Botulinum Toxin in Milk. PNAS. July 12, 2005. 102:28.
