Former CDC investigator warns that gaps in public-health readiness leave the U.S. vulnerable to future biothreats
Daniel Jernigan, a former CDC scientist who helped investigate the 2001 anthrax mailings, reflects on the lessons learned two and a half decades later.
The anthrax letters, sent from New Jersey to media outlets and congressional offices, caused 22 infections and five deaths, sparked nationwide fear, and cost billions of dollars in response and recovery efforts.
Jernigan argues that the attacks showed how easily the postal system can be weaponized and that modern alert and mitigation systems still have significant gaps.
He calls for renewed investment in public‑health infrastructure and rapid response capabilities to protect against both intentional and accidental biothreats.
This writeup was produced by pharmadog from original reporting by STAT.
Original headline: “Opinion: I worked on the CDC investigation of the anthrax letters. 25 years later, are we ready for the next biothreat?”
read at STAT ↗
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