Bioterrorism agents are potential pathogenic organisms or biological toxins that can produce death and disease in humans, plants or animals for terrorism purposes. These agents are usually microorganisms found in nature, but have been modified to increase their virulence and make them resistant to antibiotics or vaccines. To enhance the ability of these agents to be disseminated into the environment, terrorists find biological agents to be an alternative to conventional weapons because of their low cost and accessibility. Any attempted use fo bioterrorism agents whether a success or failure, could cause vast destruction of humanity along with disruption of society in general.
Bioterrorism has been around for much longer than most would imagine. In the 6th century BC the fungus rye ergot was used to poison wells of the Assyrians’ enemies. Smallpox which some say began appearing in 10,000 BC, was used by the British in an act of what we know of as bioterrorism. Smallpox victims would use blankets to keep warm which would transmit the disease. The British would then pass these blankets onto tribes of Native Americans which severely decreased the number and sizes of Native tribes. In the 1980’s Salmonella was used to sicken many who ate from a salad bar. This was a process put in place by followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. As life goes on intelligence will improve meaning there will be better technology and designs of bioterrorism agents. Researchers will constantly be on the lookout for a way to put a stop to any agent that could cause mass destruction in the future.
Previous papers on bioterrorism agents have provided background for this continued discussion of the classification system used to categorize already danger...
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...nd could possibly have a large morbidity and mortality. This would cause international distress which could severely cause distress amongst the world. The Nipah virus is one of these agents which is grouped in category C.
The Nipah virus was an outbreak that occurred in Malaysia. This virus was contracted in humans by coming into direct contact with a host infected with swine. This virus has not been documented in the United States, but did cause over one million deaths in Malaysia. The outbreak of this virus was eradicated, but fruit bats are still prone to carrying the virus and possibly spreading the infection around again. If this virus was to outbreak in other areas, there would not be much many could do. With not much research behind the virus, we do not know what could prevent or even cure some of the clinical symptoms that come along with this virus.
[1, 4, 5, 9, 13] There have been no documented cases where a human has contracted the disease from another human. [4] It appears, based on field and lab data, that infection requires direct contact with the virus through means such as contact with infective bodily secretions, urine, or tissues. [12] It is unknown to scientists how the virus can be maintained in the bat populations and avoids extinction as the host species becomes immune to its presence. [14] The incubation period from time of infection to the onset of symptoms is about 5-14 days in experimentally induced animals [4] and 8-14 days in natural field cases.
Guillemin, J. (2005). Biological weapons: From the invention of state-sponsored programs to contemporary bioterrorism Columbia University Press.
... States are minimal for people affected with disease by this invasive species, steps should still be taken to avoid an outbreak. They should be controlled to some extent. Because West Nile has taken such a toll on humans and birds, precautions should be taken to avoid being infected with this disease. Controlling the Asian Tiger Mosquito may help minimize the spread of diseases throughout the United States. Because this species of mosquito thrives in more wet condensed spaces like water cans, tipping and tossing all containers that hold water around the house or garden on a daily basis will help remove the larvae and reduce the population. Other common practices that most communities partake in, include cold fogging or spray trucks and effective mosquito traps. These are the best options so far, to help control the Asian Tiger mosquito and other mosquitos as well.
Though biological weapons have been available for under a century, there is a long history of their use between 1914 and 1972. Chemical warfare was first introduced in 1914 at the beginning of World War I. Because of the new style of warfare with automatic weapons, trenches were dug out from the ground to defend against a slaughter. The introduction of this issue caused us to invent weapons such as the grenade, flame thrower, and finally, biological weapons. Biological weapons were distributed by hoses, grenades, and aerial attacks. By doing this, we eliminated many enemy trenches and saved a large amount of Ally lives. (Menace)
“Johns Hopkins Working Group on Civilian Biodefense Says Botulinum Toxin is a Major Biological Weapons Threat.” Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Johns Hopkins University, 28 Feb. 2001. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
...nd make people aware that it is more common than people realize and that a rather large part of America has the illness, whether they know it or not. This paper also discussed how the virus, could target certain individuals more easily than others based on the genetic makeup of an individual and families.
Almost no one on Earth has any immunity at all to this virus, which makes ordinary vaccines useless against it. The sudden spread of the virus into Europe foreshadows an epidemic development that could be worldwide. Ultimately, there is no way to protect ourselves against epidemics. They will keep disappearing and coming back in new forms.
... without causing an economic crisis as well. History of the evolution of the virus shows origin in Asia among poultry, closing monitoring as well as restricting travel activity and import of poultry in these regions will be highly recommended in the event of a detection of the Avian virus.
enemy. It has been around for thousands of years, but in different forms. To take a case in point, the article, “History of Bioterrorism,” states that the Assyrians poisoned the well of their enemies with rye ergot in the 6th Century B.C. More recent examples of bioterrorism include the anthrax inhalation from received mail in 2001 (Office of The Surgeon General). Although these are only recorded acts, there is a whole other story to what should happen once a victim is diagnosed with any type of bioterrorism and what treatment they should undergo, if one exists. For example, the medical response and treatment are different for anthrax, smallpox and tularemia. The medical response and treatment depend on the severity of the case and the type of bioterrorism.
In the beginning, groups of people used plants to take control of cities, and since that day bioterrorism hasn’t stopped evolving, and neither shall it ever stop evolving. Every day new technologies, new protocols, new vaccines and even new diseases are produced. I have showed you where bioterrorism has come from, and the path it has taken to be where it is today, and even given a glimpse of where it might go in the future. But until we actually get to the time in the future where we can see it with our own eyes, we will never know for sure.
Ryan, Jeffrey R., and Jan F. Glarum. Biosecurity & Bioterrorism: Containing and Preventing Biological Threats. Oxford: Elsevier Inc., 2008.
Broyles, Janell. Chemical and Biological Weapons in a Post-9/11 World. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 2005. Print.
The human population has a high susceptibility to the contraction of new diseases and outbreaks of these diseases are of high risk. Diseases in recent times that have broken out into the human population are the H7N9 flu strain and SARS. Despite the risk, outbreaks like H7N9 and SARS have been controlled due to epidemiology and other disease control methods. Outbreaks of disease are not uncommon to the human population as they move to new areas around the world with foreign diseases that the native residents would have developed a resistance to.
for which no cure has yet been created. It is important to know however, that methods are currently available which can prevent the transfer of this virus, and even slow down its malicious effects. before they become fatal. It is equally important to know how to avoid getting the virus and also the symptoms in case you might run across them. They are all a lot.
Thesis: Biological Warfare is morally and inhumanely wrong, It is the wrongful killing of men, women, and children. It should be stopped no matter what the circumstances are.