Bioterrorism: Are we ready for such health care emergencies (original) (raw)

Bioterrorism: An Imminent Public Health Threat

The Internet Journal of Epidemiology, 2009

Bioterrorism is a planned and deliberate use of pathogenic strains of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or their toxins to spread life-threatening diseases on a mass scale in order to devastate the population of an area. 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. Biological agents can be spread through the air, through water, or in food. Robotic delivery is also possible. Another technique, a nightmare for bioterror experts, is the use of "suicide coughers". To strengthen the area of biodefence, the US senate passed the 'Bioterrorism Act of 2002'. A highly effective public health system should make an important contribution to deter the threat by demonstrably diminishing the result of a potential attack. The strategies against bioterrorism involve prevention of an attack, detecting bioweapons, and quick relief in the event of biowar. The next step is the introduction of Bioterrorism related topics in the medical curriculum, so that the medical students should be encouraged to stay abreast of new developments as they continue their training and begin their practices.

bioterrorism :principle and Mechanism

Biological warfare is the intentional use of microorganisms and toxins generally of microbial, plant or animal origin to produce disease and death in humans, livestock and crops (Arora, 2002). The attraction of bio-weapons in war and use in terrorist attacks is attributed to easy access to a wide range of disease producing biological agents because of their low producing costs, non-detection by routine security systems and easy transportation from one place to another (Raghunath et al., 2000). The preferred biological agents are Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Ebola virus, Lassa virus, small pox virus, etc. and genetically engineered organisms that can survive, express and perpetuate in the natural environment (Hust, 2013). Bacillus anthracis is the toughest known biological agent. The WHO estimated that 50 kg of B. anthracis release upwind of a population centre of 5 lakh would result in upto 1 lakh deaths with an additional 1.25 lakh incapacitated persons (Piles et al., 1998). Inhalation of anthrax endospores reach alveoli where from macrophages, phagocytes and lysed endospores enter into regional lymph nodes, germinate and multiply within the lymphatic system in 1 to 43 days. Then they enter the blood stream and lead septic shock, toxemia and hemorrhagic meningitis. Ebola virus is transmitted by bats. They enter human body via contaminated meat, attack immune system and infected cells get transmitted throughout the body causing death (William, 2001). The main principles involved in bioterrorism are nature of organisms of concern, source of organisms, and dissemination of organisms. The dissemination of biological weapons can take place through aerosol sprays, explosives or food and water contamination (Batra, 2000). Attacks by such weapons may create high level of panic, environment contamination and extreme pressures on emergency health services (Harris, 2002). Current concerns regarding the use of bio-weapons result from the increased proliferation of such weapons and the acquisition of these cheaper weapons by terrorist organizations (Levy, 2003). The need of the hour is to develop full international cooperation and to educate the likely target populations about precautions and protective measures against a possible biological weapon attack (Osterholm, 2001).

Risk of disease spread through bioterrorism

Veterinaria italiana

Bioterrorism is seen as a clear and present danger, although historically, acts of bioterrorism have been relatively unpredictable, rare and, thus far, small-scale events. The risk of an event is elevated by increasing contact among species and a global connectivity that provides rapid dissemination of infectious diseases regardless of origin. Virtually any pathogenic microbe could be used by bioterrorists. An attack may be difficult to distinguish from a naturally occurring infectious disease outbreak; however, consequences are likely to be similar. The agricultural sector is extremely vulnerable to bioterrorist attacks because animals and plants have little or no innate resistance to foreign pathogens and are not vaccinated or otherwise protected against these diseases. It is also important to note that weapons or delivery systems are not an issue because the animals and plants themselves are the primary vector for transferring agents. Many bioterrorism agents are zoonotic in orig...

Bioterrorism: a threat for which we are ill prepared

The National medical journal of India

Of the weapons of mass destruction, the biological ones are the most feared and bioterrorism has become one of the most vicious threats to civilized society in recent times. Biological weapons have been sporadically used for centuries. Despite international regulations, there has been a global re-emergence of the threat of biological warfare. As many as 17 countries are suspected of either including or developing biological agents in their weapons programmes. In the past decade, a number of terrorist organizations with access to bioweapons technology have emerged. .Current surveillance systems may be inadequate to detect biological attacks. The onset of illness is often delayed, thus the timing and location of such an event may be extremely difficult to identify. We are unfamiliar with most of the agents of biological warfare and are ill-equipped to handle the consequences of such an attack. In addition, there is no apparent coherent policy to handle a biological terrorist incident. Given the enormity of what is possible in the event of a biological attack, we must be prepared to detect, diagnose, epidemiologically characterize and respond appropriately to biological weapons. Of the potential biological weapons, smallpox and anthrax pose the greatest threats.

Bioterrorism, an Emerging Threat

Elsevier eBooks, 2019

Various books such as Handbook of Viral Bioterrorism and Biodefense (Clercq and Kern, 2003), Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Containing and Preventing Biological Threats (Ryan and Glarum, 2008), and Bioterrorism: Threats and Deterrents (Ç ankaya and Kibaro glu, 2010) have discussed threats, causes, and effects of bioterrosim in different parts of the world. The chapter on "Bioterrorism, an Emerging Threat in Pakistan" focuses on the current situation of bioterrorism in Pakistan. Several examples from all around the world have been quoted to highlight different incidents of bioterrorism across the world. After addressing vicious epidemics, several laboratory methods for detection and surveillance for bioterrorism have been elaborated. The case studies of bioterrorism in terms of warfare highlight use of bioweapons at political fronts. Similarly, the success story of controlling bird flu and advent and persistence of dengue show the status of bioterrorism and Pakistan's preparedness to deal with this menace. Pakistan has strengthened itself to deal with bioterrorism by adopting different national and global tools for governance. However, the rapid decline in environmental quality leads to an increase in biohazards. It