What kind of terrorism uses toxic biological agents?
Bioterrorism
Bioterrorism is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, toxins or other harmful agents to cause illness or death in people, animals or plants.
What are the signs and symptoms of bioterrorism?
The symptoms of exposure to a biological agent might include sore throat, fever, double or blurred vision, rash or skin blisters, exhaustion, difficulty talking, confusion, descending muscle weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and coughing.
Which category of biological terrorism agents deliver the highest risk?
Bioterrorism agents can be separated into three categories, depending on how easily they can be spread and the severity of illness or death they cause. Category A agents are considered the highest risk and Category C agents are those that are considered emerging threats for disease.
What occurs during an act of biological terrorism?
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 is the meaning of biological terrorism?
Bioterrorism is the intentional release or threat of release of biologic agents (i.e. viruses, bacteria, fungi or their toxins) in order to cause disease or death among human population or food crops and livestock to terrorize a civilian population or manipulate the government [3].
How do you identify bioterrorism?
Recognizing Bioterrorism
- An unusual age distribution for common diseases. An increase in what appears to be a chickenpox-like illness among Adult patients, but which might be smallpox.
- A large number of cases of acute flaccid paralysis with prominent bulbar palsies, suggestive of a release of botulinum toxin.
What are the phases of bioterrorism?
The five phases of activities in dealing with a bioterrorist attack are preparedness phase, early warning phase, notification phase, response phase and recovery phase. A bioterrorism attack in a public place is a public health emergency. Early detection and rapid investigation is the key to contain such attacks.
How can you protect yourself from bioterrorism?
Depending on the situation, wear a face mask to reduce inhaling or spreading germs. If you have been exposed to a biological agent, remove and bag your clothes and personal items. Follow official instructions for disposal of contaminated items. Wash yourself with soap and water and put on clean clothes.
How does bioterrorism affect the body?
Bioterrorism and other high consequence biological events can result in mass casualties, epidemic illness, healthcare worker illness, environmental contamination, legal issues, and cause unease within the medical community and the community at large.
How do biological agents enter the body?
Biological agents can be bacteria, viruses, or toxins that can harm or kill people, livestock, plants, or crops. They can be inhaled, ingested, or enter the body through the eyes, nose, mouth, or through cuts in the skin.
When should you suspect bioterrorism?
Bioterrorism may occur as covert events, in which persons are unknowingly exposed and an outbreak is suspected only upon recognition of unusual disease clusters or symptoms. Bioterrorism may also occur as announced events, in which persons are warned that an exposure has occurred.
How do you respond to a biological threat?
Wash yourself with soap and water and put on clean clothes. Contact authorities and seek medical assistance. You may be advised to stay away from others or even to quarantine. If your symptoms match those described and you are in the group considered at risk, immediately seek emergency medical attention.
How do you overcome bioterrorism?
In this Page
- UNCERTAIN UNDERSTANDING OF THE EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
- MICROBIAL FORENSICS AND ANALYSIS OF TRACE EVIDENCE.
- AN APPROACH TO DEFINING BIOTERRORIST THREATS.
- DEVELOPING ANTIMICROBIALS AND ANTIVIRALS.
- RAPID VACCINE DEVELOPMENT.
- IMPROVEMENT AND TESTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
What is a biochemical pregnancy?
A biochemical pregnancy is a pregnancy that stops growing and resolves before it becomes large enough to see it with ultrasound. Not long after fertilization and implantation, the pregnancy stops developing – usually due to a severe chromosomal abnormality within the pregnancy.
What are the aims of Biochemical terrorism?
Aims: To describe the likely effects of a terrorist incident involving biochemical agents and to identify important response issues. Method: Literature survey.
Can biochemical pregnancies be detected?
Many biochemical pregnancies are recognized today that would otherwise previously have gone undetected because of the ultra-sensitive pregnancy tests now on the market. These tests make it easier to detect a pregnancy as early as 4 days before a woman’s period is due.
Can hormone levels predict biochemical pregnancy and spontaneous miscarriage?
Biochemical pregnancy and clinical spontaneous miscarriage are not related to hormone levels (estradiol or luteinizing hormone (LH)) on the day of hCG trigger with fertility treatments or LH surge. Thus, checking hormone levels before conception cannot predict which pregnancies will be healthy and which pregnancies will go on to miscarry.