BackgroundA report of black death, presumably pneumonic plague (Yersinia Pestis) occurred in the terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Land of Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM) in 2009. Up to 40 members of AQLIM are reported to have perished rapidly.DiscussionThe event was managed by Algeria, but questions remain as to the nature of this event and the level of investigation that was applied. This paper is a discussion of the principle elements of a forensic epidemiology investigation that should have, but did not take place in Algeria. The need for improved forensic epidemiology investigation capability is illustrated in this event due the unique problems inherent in the investigation of intentional outbreaks.
Forensic epidemiology of childhood deaths-Gaziantep (2005-2012)