News

10th June 2005

Bio-terrorism- Europe "woefully unprepared"

London MEP, John Bowis, says the EU needs a Europe-wide system for the detection, identification and diagnosis of chemical agents as well as stocks of medicines and vaccinations plus a database of healthcare specialists.  Speaking in the European Parliament Mr Bowis said hospitals needed guidance on how to spot, respond to and  contain outbreaks and health authorities needed advice on liaising with international bodies. A worldwide security conference in Brussels earlier this year said the EU is “woefully unprepared for a bioterroist attack”. The United States has made a start with “Project Bioshield” but it is unclear what is happening in Europe, said Mr Bowis. 

“The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has the remit to coordinate activity in this area.  The commission must ensure its budget is not cut so that it can begin this important work quickly. We have seen the consequences of the sarin nerve attack in Tokyo and the anthrax attacks in America,” he added.