We spend millions on smallpox, but nothing on this far greater threat—…oil running out

We spend millions on smallpox, but nothing on this far greater threat

Our leaders' approach to risk is unbalanced: huge resources to guard against an extinct disease, and nothing on oil running out

George Monbiot
The Guardian, Tuesday 14 April 2009

Here's how the British government describes the risk of a smallpox outbreak. "We are currently at alert level O. Smallpox remains eradicated. No credible threat of a smallpox release."

So, in response to this non-existent threat, it has published 122 pages of central plans. Each of the nine English regions maintains a Smallpox Diagnosis and Response Group, which in turn supports five Smallpox Management and Response Teams, one of which is on duty at all times. There are smallpox centres all over the country and lists of doctors, nurses and support staff prepared to run them, laboratories ready to multiply vaccines, and planning committees involving scores of different agencies.

The plans, in other words, must have cost millions. They use thousands of hours of specialist time every year. But step forward the man or woman who believes the government should abandon them.

The chances that this extinct disease might break out here are extremely remote - one in a million perhaps - but they cannot be dismissed while the US and Russia disgracefully refuse to destroy their stockpiles. Stealing, weaponising and distributing the virus would require capabilities beyond those of any known terrorist group. The government's plans are almost certainly a waste of time and money. But they are a waste of time and money that makes sense.

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