An Invisible Arsenal

Bioterrorism's Invisible Arsenal
(Without 'terror', it is only a biological event... fear generates the terror component)

The first defense in bioterrorism is national intelligence and personal information.

Biological terrorism

back	Background	How you can get it	Symptoms	Vaccine	Treatment	Other
	Anthrax A government study estimated that about 200 pounds of anthrax released upwind of Washington D.C. could kill up to 3 million people	Inhaling spores sprayed in the air. It's not contagious among people	Usually within 7 days, fever and cold-like symptoms show up. About 85% of people die within 1-3 days	A vaccine is available only to the military. Fewer than 20% of U.S. troops have been vaccinated.	If diagnosed at the time suspicious symptoms first appear, anthrax can be treated with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, penicillin and doxycycline.	The anthrax bacterium is abundant in soils and has been heavily produced by Iraq and the former Soviet Union. In spore form it can last for a century or more.
	Smallpox It killed more than 500 million people in the 20th Century before being eradicated in 1977. Vaccinations stopped in 1980	Inhalation, and from contact with infected clothing, bedding, fabrics. It's highly contagious among people	About 10-12 days after exposure, high fevers, fatigue, open sores appear. About 30% die.	The CDC has about 7.5 million doses available, which isn't considered enough to handle a mild outbreak. A British company is making 40 million doses, with the first batches available later next year.	None. Smallpox patients are quarantined, because each patient can spread the disease to an average of 10-20 others	The only legal stocks are at the CDC in Atlanta and in Russia. But other stocks of virus are known to exist, making vaccine a priority. Considered the most devastating of all biological weapons, because it's so contagious.
top	Botulism The toxin produced by this bacterium is the single most poisonous substance known. Typically foodborne, but could be developed as an aerosol weapon.	Inhalation, eating of contaminated food. Not contagious among people Chlorination kills it in water.	Within 1 to 8 days, double vision, stomach pains, paralysis, suffocation, death. Fatigue and shortness of breath can linger for years after.	A scarce antidote made from horse serum, which can cause a serious allergic reaction. It is most effective if used after early diagnosis.	Ventilators, supportive care. Exposed skin and clothing should be washed with soap and water. Exposed objects or surfaces should be washed in a bleach solution and avoided for days.	Considered the most toxic substance known. Iraq says it has produced 19,000 liters of the toxin.
	Plague Between 1980 and 1994, 18,739 cases of history's most feared contagious disease were reported in 20 countries.	Inhalation of plague bacteria spread in aerosols. It is contagious.	Fever, chest pain, nausea, and severe pneumonia-like symptoms within 1 to 6 days. People die quickly after symptoms appear.	The U.S. -licensed vaccine was discontinued in 1999 and is no longer available. Research is ongoing into a pneumonic plague vaccine	Antibiotics, particularly streptomycin, gentamycin and doxycycline., are thought to be effective if given quickly. Limited tests have been done in animals.	Plague caused the "Black Death" in the 14th century, which killed about one-third of the European population. Plague bacteria are more vulnerable to weather than are anthrax spores.
	Tularemia The United States studied this infectious organism as a weapon in the 1950s and '60s.	Inhalation, skin absorption, eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Not contagious, but easily caught.	Within 3-5 days, fever, vomiting, pneumonia-like symptoms, respiratory failure, shock, death. It is difficult to distinguish from flu.	A vaccine is currently under review by the FDA.	Antibiotics, particularly streptomycin, gentamycin, doxycycline. and ciprofloxacin. Skin and clothing must be decontaminated with soap and water.	Tularemia is caused by a hardy bacterium that resists the elements. Antibiotic and vaccine resistant strains were developed by the former Soviet Union.

Chemical terrorism

back	Background	How you can get it	Symptoms	Vaccine	Treatment	Other
top	Nerve agents Most agents were developed in the 1930s and '40s in Germany as insecticides, and later used in sprays as chemical weapons	Sarin, Tabun, Soman, VX	Within minutes, wheezing, blurry vision, constricted pupils, foaming at the mouth, convulsions, paralysis, suffocation and death.	None	Wash off immediately with soap and water. Atropine, oximes; must be injected soon after exposure. Assisted ventilation	Can be transmitted by contact.
	Mustard agents Developed in 1820s, were first used as chemical weapons in World War I	Inhalation or skin absorption	Within minutes, skin blisters, nausea, blindness, permanent lung damage. Death is rare	None	Wash off skin surfaces with soap and water, and rinse eyes. If it is washed off within five minutes, injury can be reduced 50%. Antibiotics for secondary infections, and pain relievers can also be used.

Chart Source: Section A-26 of The Seattle Times, Sunday, October 7, 2001

Do your part to control terrorism... learn all you can, and act responsibly

last reviewed: 04/24/2009

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