Abstract
The H1N1 influenza pandemic and the foot-and-mouth epidemics, which both caused worldwide panic and economic disruption, are examples of infectious diseases that do not only directly harm human health, but also bring about social and economic turmoil. Given the possibility of such biological agents being used in acts of bio-terrorism, providing counter-measures against such threats in order to minimize social and economic damage is a major challenge for the modern world in creating an environment in which one can live without fear. Dealing with this challenge requires a full-scale global approach comprising all relevant actors not only in the public health sector, but also the public and private sectors of animal and plant epidemiology, security, law enforcement, as well as academia and industry. The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) is also envisaged to play a role in countering biological threats. This article is to consider the ways to strengthen the effectiveness of the BWC with a view towards the coming 7th Review Conference of the BWC in December this year.
