U.S. calls bioattack inevitable

last updated 8 January 2015

Davos, Switzerland

Terrorists will launch a biological attack that could kill thousands of people sometime in the next few years, U.S. Health Secretary Tommy Thompson said this week. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Thompson said governments must spend billions of dollars arming their medical systems against the threat. “There is going to be an attack, whether it is in Western Europe, the U.S., Africa, Asia, or wherever,” he said. “The only way to defend yourself is by getting prepared.” Thompson said the U.S. was working on vaccines against botulism, hemorrhagic fever, plague, and anthrax.