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Bioterrorism

Bioterrorism. Riya XIB. Bioterrorism. Biological warfare is the intentional use of microorganisms, and toxins (microbial, plant or animal origin), to produce disease and/or death in humans, livestock and crops. 

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Bioterrorism

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  1. Bioterrorism Riya XIB

  2. Bioterrorism • Biological warfare is the intentional use of microorganisms, and toxins (microbial, plant or animal origin), to produce disease and/or death in humans, livestock and crops.  • This includes any living (or non-living) microorganism or bioactive substance that is produced by a microorganism that can be delivered by military or civilian means.

  3. BIOWEAPON??? • Biological weapons have been a threat to human being for many centuries. • Many different modes and techniques have been used since ancient times to use the biological warfare agents to kill or harm the enemy and to fulfill their evil intentions • .In ancient times very crude methods such as faecal matter and animal carcasses etc. were used but now the concentrated forms of biological agents such as dried spores and genetically modified organisms are available which are fatal even in minute quantity.

  4. After the two world wars there had been a race to develop deadlier biological weapons which resulted in death of millions of people and live stocks. Taking into account the potential of these biological weapons to cause mass destruction, a Convention was signed to check the production storage and use of biological weapons. For this full international cooperation is needed.

  5. CATERGORIES OF WEAPONS USED BY TERRORISTS 1 CONVENTIONAL 2 BIOLOGICAL 3 CHEMICAL 4 NUCLEAR 5 CY BER

  6. Why Only Biological Weapons? • Large attack area • Delayed detection • Delayed diagnosis • Ease of production

  7. Why Only Biological Weapons? • Inexpensive • Knowledge easily accessed • Cold War • Equipment accessible • Safe for perpetrators

  8. Changing Goals of Terrorism • Traditional terrorists’ goals: High visibility, low casualty • Current goal of many terrorists: Mass casualties - Biological weapons are ideal From small car bombs to...

  9. History reveals Bioterrorist Attack • 14th Century: Cadavers dropped into wells • 14th Century: Kaffa • 1763: Native Americans given smallpox blankets • Civil War: Animal carcasses • 1925: Geneva Protocol • WWII: Japanese Unit 731 • 1943 US starts offensive biological program

  10. History of Bioterrorism • 1969: Nixon ends BW program • 1972: Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention • 1978: Ricin assassination in London • 1984: Contamination of salad bars in OR • 1995: Aum Shinrikyo subway attack in Tokyo • 2001: Letters containing anthrax spores

  11. Common Characteristics of Some BT Agents • Liquid or powder • Aerosolized particles (1- 5 microns) • Line source or point source

  12. Mode of spread of BT Agents • Food • Water • Aerosol

  13. Some bioweapons Agents: The Threat • Bacillus anthacis (Anthrax) • Variola major (Smallpox) • Yersinia pestis (Plague) • Botulinum toxin (Botulism) • Francisella tularensis (Tularemia) • Filo and arena viruses (Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers)

  14. Epidemiological Clues • Clues from unlikely source • ER or Family Practice Clinic/Office • Intuition or “hunch” that something is not right • Will require high index of suspicion • Sometimes tips from pharmacist •  mortality,  severe morbidity, or  respiratory illnesses • Large epidemic of acutely ill patients or multiple, simultaneous epidemics

  15. Epidemiological Clues • Unusual or impossible pathogen • Prior or current threat of bioterrorism • Unexplained numbers of dead animals • Will require an astute clinician • Non-specific flu-like illness cluster(s) • High index of suspicion

  16. Recommendations • Maintain an index of suspicion • Protect thyself • Assess the patient • Decontaminate as appropriate • Establish a diagnosis • Render prompt therapy • Practice good infection control • Assist in epidemiologic investigation • Maintain proficiency

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