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Protection Index
Various Biological Agents Used in the
Production of Biological Weaponry
Bacillus anthracis : Anthrax Click Here for more Information about Anthrax
The biological agent responsible for Anthrax
Anthrax is one of the most widely used biological weapon agents for its longevity and
ability to infect individuals.
Pathogenesis:
Bascillis Anthracis is pathogenic in spore form. Humans can be infected by either
inhalation of or direct skin contact with Anthrax spores. Anthrax spores will produce
Anthrax Toxin, which can be fatal in inhalation anthrax. The incubation period for
Inhalation anthrax is 1 to 6 days. Contact Anthrax will cause lesions on the affected
areas.
Lethal Dosages:
The lethal dose of Anthrax Spores can be as little as one-billionth of a gram
Longevity:
Anthrax's claim to fame is its ability to lay dormant and survive in the soils of infected
areas for years. Islands near Great Britain, where Anthrax was tested around World War 2
are still uninhabitable as a result of the spores ability to live for long periods of
time.
Symptoms:
inhalation Anthrax will cause sever flu-like symptoms, usually leading to death 24 - 36
hours of severe symptoms
Treatment:
Anthrax infections can be stopped by the use of antibiotics, if treated immediately
Prevention:
There are Anthrax vaccines available and being used by the US Military. For More
Information
Clostridium botulinum : Botulism
The biological agent responsible for Botulism
Botulism Toxin is the most lethal substance known to man, as it is lethally toxic in its
minute amounts. This makes for quite a useful biological weapon.
Pathogenesis:
Botulism is caused by the ingestion/inhalation of botulism toxin, a very powerful
neurotoxin that causes slow respiratory failure and thus causes suffocation in affected
individuals.
Lethal Dosages:
As little as one billionth of a gram of botulism toxin is able to cause a lethal reaction
in an individual, making botulism toxin easily the deadliest compound known to man.
Longevity:
Botulism Toxin is lethal for a short period of time before it denatures and becomes
harmless.
Symptoms:
Botulism toxin causes varied affects to the central nervous system before the patient dies
from respiratory failure. These include, but are not limited to, shortness of breath,
dizziness, and blurred vision.
Treatment:
Anti-Toxins can be used to counteract Botulism's effects on the nervous system, but only
if administered shortly after exposure
Yersinia pestis : Bubonic Plague
The biological agent responsible for bubonic plague
Rarely used in biological weaponry, it has been known for Bubonic Plague to be cultured in
order to use as a biological weapon. Iraq has been known to culture Yersina in order to
make Bubonic Plague biological weapons.
In the News:
Yersina p., up until recently has been available to obtain through mail order via
biological supply companies. Such was the case of Larry Wayne Harris, who accomplished
obtaining three vials of Yersina p. for unknown purposes.
Click Here for More about the Symptoms, Treatment and Disease Prevention of Common Biological Agents
Defense:
There a variety of methods that can be used in order to be protected from the initial
exposure to biological weapons
Anthrax:
To prevent exposure to anthrax in environments containing spores, on must wear protective
gear and a gas mask. The protective clothing will prevent the spores from infecting the
skin, and the gas mask, more importantly, will prevent the acquisition of inhalation
Anthrax, which leads to death.
Botulism:
Botulism can be prevented by wearing similar protective clothing, as well as gas masks in
order to prevent the powerful neurotoxin from entering the system. In addition, protected
water supplies are also necessary, as botulism toxin can be mediated through water rater
easily.
Cures:
For each type of major biological weapon, there are some countermeasures that will
counter the affects of the agents.
Anthrax:
There is a vaccine currently for Anthrax. It is able to prevent the advancement
of Anthrax in vaccinated individuals. It is currently to only military personnel. Anthrax
vaccinations are the center of controversy in the military community, as soldiers who
refuse to take the vaccine are discharged.
Once infected without being prior vaccinated, Anthrax can be battled by powerful
antibiotics immediately, or else the spores will produce their toxins and kill the
individual. Cipro is the most common antibiotic used to treat anthrax in humans; however,
other antibiotics, including penicillin can also be used in the treatment of anthrax.
Botulism:
There is no current vaccination available for Botulism, as the toxin is difficult to
target and is so lethal in low quantities. So far the only recourse in Botulism toxin
poisoning is the administration of Anti-toxins, which will counter the affects of the
deadly neurotoxin.
Reprinted as a public service courtesy of Craig Kirk, UCLA
Click Here for more Information about Anthrax
Click Here for Information about Anthrax Symptoms
Click Here for Survival Information in Biological or Chemical Warfare