METHOD
OF DELIVERY
Projectiles Missiles, Artillery shells
Sprayers Aircraft, Trucks,
Hand-held aerosols
Defense Secretary William Cohen holds a 5-pound bag of sugar to show the
amount of the biological weapon anthrax that could destroy half the population of
Washington, D.C.
Bacillus Anthracis
Anthrax is the
easiest biological agent to manufacture.
Cutaneous Anthrax
How it works: The airborne anthrax spores are inhaled and lodge
in the lungs. There, they move to local lymph nodes, multiply and produce toxins that
spread through the body via the bloodstream.
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Why is it a threat?
Anthrax spores are the top choice
in biological weapons for "germ warfare."
Anthrax is effective as a
biological weapon because:
- Anthrax is almost always DEADLY if not treated
early.
- Spores can be produced in large quantities
using basic knowledge of biology.
- Spores can be stored for decades without losing
viability.
- Spores can be easily spread in the air by
missiles, rockets, artillery,
aerial bombs & sprayers.
We KNOW there are potential
adversaries developing it as a weapon.
- At least 7 of our potential adversaries have
worked to develop an offensive biological warfare capability using anthrax.
- Iraq has admitted to producing and weaponizing
anthrax.
There is no indication of
exposure.
- There is no cloud or color.
- There is no smell.
- There is no taste.
- There is no indication of an attack when
dispersed by aerosol spray.
There is no effective treatment
for unvaccinated victims of inhalational anthrax.
- Antibiotics will suppress infection only if
administered early after exposure -- usually within the first 24 - 48 hours.
- By the time symptoms develop, it is highly likely
death will occur
despite the best efforts of modern medical science.
- 99% lethal to unprotected individuals.
What it is:
- Anthrax is produced by the bacteria Bacillus
anthracis. A tough protective coat allows the bacteria to survive for decades as
spores.
- Anthrax is dangerous because, it is:
- Highly lethal
- One of the easiest biological agents to
manufacture
- Relatively easy to develop as a weapon
- Easily spread in the air over a large area
- Easily stored and dangerous for a long
period
- Three types of Anthrax diseases:
- Cutaneous Anthrax - caused by
contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
- Gastrointestinal Anthrax - caused by
ingestion of contaminated meat.
- Inhalation Anthrax - caused
by inhalation of anthrax spores **MOST DEADLY - BIGGEST THREAT**
Incubation period
- 1 to 6 days
Symptoms of
inhalation anthrax include:
- Fever, malaise, fatigue, cough
and mild chest discomfort
followed by severe difficulty breathing
Diagnosed by:
- Isolating the bacteria from blood,
other body fluids or skin lesions
- Blood culture, measuring specific
antibodies late
in the course of the disease
Treatment:
- Treatment is usually not effective
after symptoms are present.
- High dose antibiotic treatment--can
lower the death rate slightly.
What it does:
- The disease occurs when spores enter
lungs, migrate to the lymph nodes, change to the bacterial forms, multiply, and produce
toxins.
- These toxins cause bleeding and
destruction of structures in the middle of the chest (medical term: hemorrahgic
necrotizing mediastinitis).
- Shock and death occur within 24-36
hours
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