Article

Bioterrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Keywords:  Bioterrorism, weapons, destructions, infection, population 

Author: Dr. Shruti

Bioterrorism is defined as “the intentional use of microorganisms like infectious substance, virus or any biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any such organism, virus, infectious substance or biological product, to cause death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant, or another living organism in order to influence the conduct of government or to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.

Bioterrorism is also known as a biological attack which is intentional in nature to cause the death of humans or any other living organism. It is usually by a sub-national entity. Bioterrorism is defined as “the intentional use of microorganisms like infectious substance, virus or any biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any such organism, virus, infectious substance or biological product t, to cause death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant, or another living organism in order to influence the conduct of government or to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.” This can be done by various media like aerosol sprays, via food or water, and through skin.

Bioterrorism or biological attacks are done by a variety of weapons available. These weapons are also called germ warfare. They are used to disrupt or kill human life. 

Classification of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction), includes-

C – Chemical

B – Biological

R – Radioactive

N – Nuclear

E – Explosive

Chemical Weapons – These weapons pose a greater risk to human life. It causes serious injury or death. These are easily transported, accessible, difficult to protect, tend to penetrate easily, and give effect very quickly. These are classified into-

• Vesicating agents – these are also called blistering agents. It usually irritates eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
• Blood agents – these agents hamper the oxygen supply to different organs of the body.
• Caustic – these agents burn the eyes, lungs, mouth, etc.
• Pulmonary – these agents affect the respiratory tract by causing severe irritation or swelling.
• Incapacitating – these agents cause unconsciousness in humans.
• Nerve – these agents hamper the working of the nervous system.

In other words, chemical agents are exposed to the body via three mediums-

• Skin
• Eyes
• Respiratory system

Agents	Examples
Blisters	Nitrogen mustard, Sulfur mustard, and Phosgene oxime
Blood	Cyanide
Pulmonary	Phosgene
Incapacitating	3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, tear gas
Nerve	Tabun, Sarin, Soman, Cyclohexylsarin, and VX

Biological Weapons – It includes bacteria and viruses, and harms the body by the toxins they produce. They have less cost, cause endemic diseases, grow exponentially, slow onset of symptoms.

Weapons are classified into three different categories such as-

1. Category A – It includes the weapons of highest risk. Due to rapid transmission, these weapons show a high mortality rate. These include-

• Anthrax
• Botulism
• Plague
• Ebola
• Lassa
• Smallpox
• Tularemia

2. Category B – These show less mortality. These include-

• Brucellosis
• Typhus fever
• Q fever
• Hepatitis A
• Calicivirus
• Epsilon toxin
• Viral encephalitis

3. Category C – These include emerging diseases. Production of these agents is easy and has a significant negative effect on the mass population. These include- 

• Nipah virus
• Hantavirus
• Yellow fever
• Tuberculosis
• Influenza
• Rabies
• Chikungunya virus

Their medium of exposure are-

1. Inhalation through lungs
2. Oral route
3. Skin absorption
4. Tissue penetration

Nuclear agents- They create an explosion, harming the mass population. Sometimes for nuclear explosions radioactive agents are used which have destructive effects. 

Radioactive agents – Nuclear and radioactive agents usually go hand in hand. These agents scare the people and make them ill. It also has effects on buildings and even land which makes them useless. The devices used to spread the radiation are called Radiological dispersion devices (RDDs). RDD is also known as a “dirty bomb”. Explosives are packed in the container. 

Explosive agents – They are most efficient and effective. Also, they are easy to transport and accessible globally. It causes various injuries to human beings such as lung, ear, brain, traumatic, and delayed brain blast.

How does the system support it?

Three bodies have been made which help during any biological attack. These are as follow-

1. Health Alert Network (HAN) – CDC (Center for Disease Control) has implemented HAN. It is an online platform that helps in the rapid transfer of information. These are done in collaboration with the national entity. This platform is available 24/7.
2. National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) – This helps in evacuating affected and transferring them to safe places. Also, helps in providing all the medical care. 
3. National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NPS) – It has also been established by CDC only. It helps in the delivery of services at the time of emergency. They reach the emergency situation within 12 hours of the attack.

PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) – These attacks or terrifying events, gives symptoms like anxiety to the affected. Some people even have disorders which are called PTSD. It has various symptoms are as follow- 

Physical – Fatigue, headache, dizziness, etc.

Emotional – Depression, guilt, etc.

Cognitive – Poor concentration, loss of memory, etc.

Behavioral – Loss of appetite, restlessness, etc.

There are few measures which should be taken in PTSD such as-

• Open communication
• Take frequent breaks
• Manage and cope up with stress
• Regular exercise
• Meditation

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