[Steven W.]

Fortunately this, again, is not as easy as many previously surmised. I used to be quite worried about this exact same scenario except for the fact that people with these contagious diseases, no matter how dedicated, are not physically fit to go around infecting people - they are barely able to move and their horrid appearance would be self-alarming. For example, in the case of small pox, the disease can only be contracted from people who have it in its most deadly stage, meaning they're not likely able to get up out of their (hospital) death bed and start walking around airports coughing on people, without somebody being concerned. Now, the degree to which this is feasible is of course directly related to the life-cycle of the diseases and when they are truly contagious - but, bottom line, it's not as easy or likely possible as the author (still) surmises.

[meridia]

Steven, thanks for your analysis.

[Rebelbase]

The terrorists don't need to be physically infected. From the Center for Civilian Biodefence Studies website . "Contaminated clothing or bed linen could also spread the virus. Special precautions need to be taken to insure that all bedding and clothing of patients are autoclaved"

A few infected articles brought into an enclosed environment such as an airliner would be enough to get an epidemic started.