NBC BIOLOGICAL WARFARE THREAT ASSESTMENT

File: 970616_dec96_decls45_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 7
Subject = NBC BIOLOGICAL WARFARE THREAT ASSESTMENT                        

Parent Organization = MCCDC       

Unit = WDID        

Folder Title = NBC MISCELLANEOUS MESSAGES SEC   OF 2  WDID SWA 0008                                            

Document Number =         34

Box ID = BX600138





                                                                  24 AUG 1490
                                      UNCLASSIFIED                 NEHQ-EPI@;

                        .BXOL.ElgICAL WAKFARE TF*QEAT ASSESSMNT
                              CFK3LraRA (YMID CHMERAE)                      i

       JSE OF AGENT

             0   CholaraL infection is spread through deliberate
                 contamination of food ariwatnr with cholera bacteria
                    - Specific protective    I*fforts must be mad* to
                      prevent such sabotage
                    - Contamination of food/water obtained off base
                      from non-military sources may occur
             0. Cholera bacteria are not.:*@factiv*ly transmitted by
                 an aerosol rout*, not av*n as a.BW agent
             • Environmental contamination not li        'koly to be an issue
                    - Not an effective way to disseminate the organism
                         - Bacteria do not live long in the environment
                         - Environmental items would have to be handled,
                            then hands placed in mouthl very poor
                           .efficacy of transmission
                    - Clothing, etc soiled with cholera stool is potential
                      source of socandary,Lnf*ctions but should be
                      controllable by standard infection control practices
             0   Cholera toxin, which causes the diarrh*al has been
                 synthesized
                      Can be transmitted k* an aerosol
                      Can contaminate +ood/water
             •   Cholera toxin may produce a shorter, less severe diarrhea
                      Toxin only active on gut-wall for so\,eral hours
                      Cholera infection continually produces toxin

       DIAGNOSIS


             0 Clinical

                    a Full blown cholera     is clinically distinctly*
                            Not'.a systomic"dioaas*t no -Fwv*r
                               ii,a, @'i"Yl' a@'Uie 6"n's' *t 'aii;@ii-iii I oono stool S,
                            mild abdominal,cramps, ihay have vomiting
                            @jkt*rt copioun@ classic "rice- water" stool%
                              -   Stoolu'lik*'clo,%r/*Iightly' turbid water
                              -   @l*cks of mucous
                              -   No odor or slightl'y fishy odor
                    o Initially   may be confused with other type* of
                      secretary   diarrhea, *.Q. anterotoxiganic E. coli,
                      commonest   c'auso o-F' travelers diarrhea
                        - Managomwnt is the same for all secrutory
                            diarrhea*
                    a Altered mental   status comment typical pationt'.is
                      detached, but can be aroused to give lucid,
                      ar-c;uralto information