Experts warn of bioterrorism after pandemic

The Council of Europe has warned of an increased possibility of a deliberate use of biological weapons, like viruses or bacterias, as acts of terrorism in a post-coronavirus world.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how vulnerable modern society is to viral infections and their potential for disuption,” the council’s Committee on Counter-Terrorism said in a statement.

The committee warned that the damage to humans and economies could be significantly higher than the one of a traditional terrorist attack.

It therefore called on the 47 Council of Europe member states to do training exercises and prepare to tackle a biological weapons attack.

“The Council of Europe has no concrete evidence of a heightened threat from bioterrorism due to the pandemic. It does, however, underline the need for continued international cooperation in this field”, a spokesperson said.