The Centre for Civilian Biodefence Studies says that, even if at first only 50 people were infected, the result could be a nationwide epidemic.

ECONOMIST: Biowarfare could be the worst terrorist threat of all

One anti-sceptic is Donald Henderson, director of the Centre for Civilian Biodefence Studies at Johns Hopkins University, who believes that the threat of bioterrorism has increased in recent years.

ECONOMIST: Biowarfare could be the worst terrorist threat of all