In the 1950 s and 60s, the US weaponized anthrax before the program was terminated. The insidious nature of spread and resulting confusion is appealing to terrorists. Treatment with high doses of penicillin, fluoroquinolone or tetracycline is of limited benefit but a vaccine is available for key personnel. The Future 140 countries have signed the Biological Weapons Convention of 1975, but several Middle Eastern states have not. Reliance will have to be put upon military and police intelligence, with firm links being developed with the medical community.
Most hospitals have major incident plans designed for natural and man-made disasters.
Adequate planning and preparation will help. NYC has completed an exercise of simulated anthrax attack and other US cities will follow. Officials released a harmless form into the subways in 1966 and within 10 minutes, the agent was detected at the furthest ends of the line. Surveillance systems are to be put into action to detect covert activities. Biosensor technology is available to the military but not to civilians.