Tips!

• Like any other emergency circumstance, you can be prepared for a bioterrorist attack by having a kit of emergency supplies available and an emergency plan.


• Always be informed of what could happen in the case of an attack.


• Watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for news regarding symptoms, where the attack took place, and any available treatment.


• If you see a suspicious substance move far away and cover your mouth and nose with fabric.


• Don’t panic.


• Call 911!

Example of Bioterrorism: Anthrax

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis. It can be spread by products from infected animals, by eating undercooked meat from an infected animals, or through the intentional use of it as a weapon ( i.e. powder form). Cutaneous (skin) anthrax is the least effective and can usually be treated. On the other hand, inhalation (lung) anthrax and gastrointestinal (digestive) anthrax are much more dangerous and have caused many deaths. Symptoms range from a small sore to flu like symptoms, and usually appear within 7 days. Although there is a vaccine for anthrax, it is not yet available to the public unless you have been exposed.

Bioterrorism Throughout History

One of the first bioterrorism attacks was in Mesopotamia when the Assyrians used rye ergot to poison their enemies. However, biological attacks didn’t become successful until the 14th century when weapons were delivered by catapults. This caused the Black Death in Europe.

During the French and Indian War, the French sold Native Americans blankets that had been used by men with smallpox. During World War I, German forces tried to wipe out American live stock with anthrax. However, chemical agents, such as chlorine gas, were much more effective. Continuing with the war trend, bioweapons were very popular during World War II, especially with the Japanese. They used anthrax, cholera, plague, and typhoid on their Chinese prisoners.

In 1984, the first attempt at a bioterrorism attack in the United States took place when Bagwan Shree Rajneesh followers contaminated salad bars in Oregon. They were unsuccessful and put in jail. Anthrax has recently posed the biggest threat to the United States. In 2001, it was spread through the mail. The source of attacks is still unknown.

So, what are we doing to try to prevent bioterrorism in the future? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yKmj9XnsnU

Categories of Bioterrorism

There are 3 categories of bioterrorism agents which start out with the highest priority level and go down.

Category A

1. spreads from person to person or animal to person


2. high death rates


3. causes public panic


4. examples: anthrax, smallpox, and bubonic plague
   

Category B

1. somewhat easy to spread, requires monitoring


2. low death rates
   
3. examples: brucellosis (transmitted by digesting contaminated meat from animals), other food safety threats
   

Category C

1. easily available and spread


2. could pose a threat in the future due to emerging pathogens


3. example: yellow fever (transmitted through mosquitoes to people)

Bioterrorism

Bioterrorism is the intentional use of biological agents to cause harm to plants, animals, or people. Many of these agents can be found in nature, but they are typically modified so that they are harder to treat and can spread faster. Agents are spread through air, water, or food. They are easy to obtain and inexpensive to produce. Bioterrorism is popular among terrorists because it can take a long time to be detected.

Para más información en español:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/espanol/agentlist.asp