November 21, 2001

RAJYA SABHA

'33'

TRAINING COURSES FOR ANTI-GERM WARFARE BY DEFENCE

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ESTABLISHMENT, GWALIOR

    The Defence Research & Development Establishment plans to conduct four training courses in anti-germ warfare of four days duration each, to officers of the State Governments in the last week of November 2001. Each batch will have theoretical and practical sessions to deal with various aspects of anti-germ warfare.

    The Government has circulated general instructions on this subject to all authorities of health departments of Centre, State/ Union Territory Governments and Hospitals. These instructions include the likely methods of dissemination of biological and chemical agents, incubation period, lethality, availability of vaccines, and anti-microbial therapy and treatment. The other measures being taken up to combat bio-terrorism are awareness workshops, dissemination of information through print and electronic media and a regular review of the situation.

    This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Ramachandra Khuntia in Rajya Sabha today.