At the same time, it is establishing a new department for biological warfare in preparation for possible attacks using anthrax bacteria by spending W1.5 billion to purchase vaccines and antibiotics for anthrax, plague bacillus, and smallpox.

According to the NIH, chances are high that bio-terrorism causing mass casualties could occur frequently prior to the 2002 World Cup and during the US-led retaliation war, noting each and every hospital should report immediately if it finds any patient infected by botulism, anthrax, ebola, plague bacillus or variola.

In order for advanced discovery of patients, it will set up monitoring offices in ten cities including Seoul and Busan and dispatch medical experts to the US to seek advice and cooperation. In addition, the NIH will sign a memorandum of understanding with Japan to set up a collaborative system against bio-terrorism.

In its first move, it is setting up an emergency task force led by Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Gyeong-ho, a special unit for medical care of those infected, food and medicine stockpiles, an organization for supporting the lower income bracket, and one to monitor fall-out from the war against terrorism.

The NIH will create a permanent institute to study vital dynamics, and infectious disease detection and prevention.

(Kim Dong-seop, dskim@chosun.com )