The COVID-19 - An Agent for Bioterrorism?
Varsha Gupta
Medical Undergraduate, Datta Meghe Medical College, Nagpur, India.
Nandkishor Bankar
Department of Microbiology Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, India.
Manju Chandankhede
Department of Biochemistry Datta Meghe Medical College, Shalinitai Meghe Hospital and Research Centre, Nagpur, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Bioterrorism is a form of terrorism where there is intentional release of biological agent (bacteria, virus, fungi or other germs) to cause harm, illness or death of people, livestock and crops. It is an unlawful use of microorganisms to inflict various forms of harm/harmful incidence or injuries in humans, whole population and environment. There are reasons why this COVID-19 global pandemic appears to represent a deliberate act of Bioterrorism. This is occurring at a critical time in the worldwide especially in times of US presidential election cycle. It appears to be worse in males which have implications for military which might be seen as a biological weapon. This has created a market whiplash the large pullback in markets. COVID-19 represents a tremendous opportunity for investment and wealth redistribution like Swine flu pandemic in 2008-2009 when fortunes were made during that recovery.
Keywords: Bioterrorism, coronavirus, disasters, disease outbreaks, infection disease prevention/ control, panic and vaccination