September 2001

Below is a listing of bioterrorism-related events this month, part of an ongoing bioterrorism chronology that begins with Sep 11, 2001. To see events from other months, go to the Bioterrorism Watch index page.

Sep 29

Public-confidence poll results announced
In a Newsweek poll, 46% of respondents say they are not very confident that national and local governments are prepared to handle an attack with biological or chemical weapons. About 80% think such an attack is at least somewhat likely.

Sep 28

GAO calls for more coordination
The General Accounting Office of Congress releases a report calling the coordination of federal programs to prepare for bioterrorism "fragmented." The report, titled "Bioterrorism: Federal Research and Preparedness Activities," says that different agencies have developed different lists of potential biological agents, several agencies have been left out of planning efforts, and programs to assist state and local governments are potentially duplicative. However, the report also notes the launching of several initiatives to improve coordination, including establishment of the new Office of Homeland Security.

Report: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d01915.pdf

Sep 24

Atta tied to earlier crop-dusting inquiries
The Washington Post reports that Mohamed Atta, who is thought to have piloted one of the planes in the World Trade Center attacks, and several other Middle Eastern men visited a small airport in rural Florida several times to ask questions about crop-dusting planes. This information is part of what prompted the FAA to temporarily ban aerial spraying, an agency spokesman says. The same story reports that officials discovered a crop-dusting manual in the possession of Zacarias Moussaoui, a man who allegedly has ties to Osama bin Laden and was arrested in August after he tried to sign up for flight training at a school in Minnesota.

Sep 23

Crop dusters grounded again
The FAA again grounds crop dusters over concern about possible biological or chemical attacks. The ban lasts just 1 day.

Sep 20

Bush announces new Office of Homeland Security
In a nationally televised speech on the government's response to the New York and Washington attacks, President George W. Bush announces the establishment of a new cabinet-level Office of Homeland Security to lead and coordinate efforts to guard the nation against all forms of terrorism. Bush names Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to direct the office. Text of the president's speech: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html

Trials on new smallpox vaccine announced
Acambis Plc, a British biotechnology company, announces that it expects to start clinical trials of a new smallpox vaccine early in 2002. Acambis has a contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to deliver 40 million doses of the vaccine. The contract calls for first deliveries of the new vaccine in 2004.

Sep 19

Anthrax vaccine manufacturer asks FDA to speed up
Bioport, the only US manufacturer of the anthrax vaccine, says it will not be able to release new doses of the vaccine until well into 2002 unless the FDA speeds up its review of the company's facilities. The Lansing, Mich., company recently overhauled its plant and is expected to file its final application for FDA relicensing of the plant this October.

Sep 18

Britain reviews plans
In response to the attacks in the United States, British government officials announce that they are reviewing their contingency plans for dealing with bioterrorist attacks.

Sep 14

FAA bans crop dusting
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily bans crop dusting because of fear that crop dusting planes will be used to mount a chemical or biological attack. The ban is lifted 2 days later.

Sep 11

WTC and Pentagon hit by terrorists
Terrorists crash jet airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, triggering fears of further terrorist attacks, including chemical and biological assaults. A National Guard unit is sent immediately to the site to test the air for deadly microbes and chemical toxins; it finds none. In the immediate aftermath, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Puts state and local health departments on alert for signs of unusual illnesses that could signal a biological attack
• Sends Epidemic Intelligence Service officers to 15 New York City hospitals to watch for unusual symptoms
• Sends drugs and other medical supplies from the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile to New York City

For other months' installments, go to the Bioterrorism Watch index page