The Department of Defense today announced plans that will lead to the systematic vaccination of all U.S. military personnel against the biological warfare agent anthrax. The Secretary of the Army, as executive agent, will serve as the focal point for the submission of information from the services.
Anthrax is a disease that normally afflicts animals, especially cattle and sheep.
Anthrax spores can be produced in a dry form that can be incorporated into weapons. When inhaled by humans, these particles cause severe pneumonia and death within a week. Since the Gulf War, the DoD has increased the level of attention given to biological warfare defense and other force protection measures. The current world threat environment and the unpredictable nature of terrorism make it prudent to include biological warfare defense as part of our force protection planning. At least ten countries have or are suspected of developing a biological warfare capability.