Anthrax is often chosen as a biological weapon because of its ability to persist for long periods of time. The bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which causes the disease, spreads by forming spores that are tough and difficult to destroy (Fig. 22.15 ).
What is the purpose of biological warfare?
Biological warfare is the deliberate use of disease-causing biological agents such as bacteria, virus, rickettsiae, and fungi, or their toxins, to kill or incapacitate humans, animals, or plants as an act of war.
What is bioterrorism and how can it impact on human health?
A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death. These germs are often found in nature. But they can sometimes be made more harmful by increasing their ability to cause disease, spread, or resist medical treatment.
What is an example of biological warfare?
Examples of biological warfare during the past millennium Similarly, the smallpox epidemic among Indians could have been caused by contact with settlers. In addition, yellow fever is spread only by infected mosquitoes. During their conquest of South America, the Spanish might also have used smallpox as a weapon.
Why is biological warfare bad?
In effect, biological warfare is using non-human life to disrupt — or end — human life. Because living organisms can be unpredictable and incredibly resilient, biological weapons are difficult to control, potentially devastating on a global scale, and prohibited globally under numerous treaties.
Who created biological warfare?
Despite patchy intelligence, France started its own biological weapons programme in the early 1920s. It was headed by Auguste Trillat, an inventive German-educated chemist who envisioned and tested the sustained virulence of airborne pathogens.
What are the three common pathogens used in bioterrorism?
- Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
- Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)
- Plague (Yersinia pestis)
- Smallpox (variola major)
- Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
- Viral hemorrhagic fevers, including. Filoviruses (Ebola, Marburg) Arenaviruses (Lassa, Machupo)
What does bioterrorism affect?
Bioterrorism is defined as a release of biological agents or toxins that affect human beings, animals, or plants with the intent to harm or intimidate.
Which pathogen has potential application in bio terrorism?
Plague (Yersinia pestis) Smallpox (variola major) Tularemia (Francisella tularensis) Viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses [e.g., Ebola, Marburg] and arenaviruses [e.g., Lassa, Machupo])
What are the advantages of biological weapons?
- It can end a war very quickly.
- It is highly efficient.
- It is cheap and relatively easy to make.
- Its weapons are extremely easy to disperse.
- It could be used by any nation.
- It is never 100% effective.
- It causes a massive amount of collateral damage.
- Its weapons are unpredictable.
When was the last time biological warfare was used?
The last known incident of using plague corpses for biological warfare may have occurred in 1710, when Russian forces attacked Swedish troops by flinging plague-infected corpses over the city walls of Reval (Tallinn) (although this is disputed).
When was biological warfare first used?
One of the first recorded uses of biological warfare occurred in 1347, when Mongol forces are reported to have catapulted plague-infested bodies over the walls into the Black Sea port of Caffa (now Feodosiya, Ukraine), at that time a Genoese trade centre in the Crimean Peninsula.
Is biological warfare a war crime?
In particular, the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) bans the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological weapons. Therefore, the use of biological agents in armed conflict is a war crime.
How do we prepare for biological warfare?
- Build an Emergency Supply Kit.
- Make a Family Emergency Plan.
- Check with your doctor to make sure everyone in your family has up-to-date immunizations.
What is the difference between chemical and biological warfare?
Chemical weapons – often referred to as gases – suffocate the victim or cause massive burning. Biological weapons are slower acting, spreading a disease such as anthrax or smallpox through a population before the first signs are noticed. Do terrorists have these weapons?
What are the disadvantages of biological weapons?
One of the many drawbacks of biological weapons is their unavoidable lasting effect. Once it’s out, the weapon has the potential to unleash massive epidemics of deadly infectious disease. An example being smallpox which we no longer immunize against making it near impossible to stop.
What is the difference between bioterrorism and biological warfare?
The ability to use biological agents in warfare is prohibited by the Biological and Toxin Weapon Convention. Bioterrorism is defined as the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria or other agents used to cause illness or death in people, but also in animals or plants.
Are biological weapons worse than nuclear weapons?
This explains that biological weapons are much more dangerous than the nuclear weapons. Biological weapons have the power to destroy the massive population of species than nuclear weapons.
What are the three types of biological weapons?
- anthrax.
- botulism.
- plague.
- tularemia.
- smallpox.
- viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Are biological weapons ethical?
Using CBW agents comes with many ethical dilemmas and consequential side-effects. Chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons are designed to yield a great number of deaths. As backed by Virtues Ethics, this mass killing caused by CBW is unethical and unjustified.
Which biological agent inspires the most fear?
There are many ways to implement a biological attack, but these are some of the most feared agents, from least to most threatening: Ebola virus — The virus takes about a week to kill the victim, and it spreads through direct contact.
What type of hazard is biological attacks?
Biological hazards—viruses, bacteria from fecal matter and sludge, or molds.
How does bioterrorism work?
An act of bioterrorism involves the deliberate release of harmful biological agents to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. Bioterrorism agents can be spread through the air or put into food or water, and can be extremely difficult to detect.
What are the 4 hazard groups for biological agents?
Pathogens, Toxins, Allergens and Carcinogens Pathogens are microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites which can colonise humans and cause infection and harm to health.
How does bioterrorism spread?
Biological agents can be spread through the air, through water, or in food. Terrorists may use biological agents because they can be extremely difficult to detect and do not cause illness for several hours to several days.