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To: LizM
I thought smallpox would be almost impossible for the terrorist to get because only two labs (USA & Russia) have the virus and the security is very tight? I'm just wondering how they would get ahold of it and how would they transmit the virus? So, I'm hoping this is one of those stories that is just getting blown out of proportion. Anyway, it is a scary thought. Hope they could isolate any outbreak and vaccinate people close to the victims to contain it.

The Russians violated their treaty obligation and massively expanded their biological warfare capabilites in the 1980s. According to Ken Alibek, they manufactured over 20 tons of Variola major virus between 1980 and 1991. Considering the economic problems facing Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union, I would not be surprised if a scientist or lab technician stole a few milligrams of the virus.

111 posted on 11/03/2001 6:51:53 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
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To: Paleo Conservative
All I can say is I hope not but these stories aren't very comforting.
121 posted on 11/03/2001 7:06:10 PM PST by LizM
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