Intentional Terrorist Contamination of Food and Water

Sabotage of food and water by terrorists and criminals has occurred in the United States, though rarely. Recently, the threat of intentional contamination with ricin of community drinking water occurred in the United States. A multiplicity of suitable biological and chemical agents exists and the vast contemporary food supply is vulnerable as are community drinking water systems. Prevention requires enhancement of food and water security. An outbreak caused by sabotage of food or water would be detected and handled by the existing public health system in close collaboration with law enforcement and other local, state, and federal agencies. Therefore, minimization of casualties requires a robust standing public health infrastructure capable of detecting, investigating and controlling all foodborne and waterborne disease outbreaks, intentional and unintentional, and providing appropriate medical resources.