Bioterrorism: A renewed public health threat

In the aftermath of terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, the United States is coming to terms with new and urgently felt public health and safety concerns related to the threat of bioterrorism. Today, and for the foreseeable future, U.S. defense and public health agendas must address bioterrorism. The recent history and the legislative agenda emerging to prevent, monitor, and respond to bioterrorism and accidental exposure to biological agents and toxins in the United States are described.