The use of biological weapons in times of war has a long and detailed history in the 20th century. Today, analysts, law enforcement, and intelligence experts suggest that biological weapons may be used to cause mass illness and death by terrorists domestically and internationally. In fact, an incident of biological terrorism was perpetrated on the citizens of a rural Oregon community in 1984. Government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels must establish programs to detect natural or intentional epidemics early so as to afford the maximum protection for citizens by way of mass prophylaxis and mass medical care.
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