Anthrax 2001--lessons learned: clinical laboratory and beyond.

OBJECTIVE

Re-visit the 2001 anthrax outbreak to assess the ideas and concepts learned from the event as they relate to the illness and to bioterrorism preparedness.

DATA SOURCES: Current literature.

CONCLUSION

A multitude of lessons have been brought to light. The future of bioterrorism preparedness depends on whether those lessons are acknowledged and acted upon.