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Subject: AFTER ACTION REPORT  BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AD HOC WORKING GP       

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003201

Folder Title: AFTER ACTION REPORT  INAUGURAL MEETING OF BW                                                    

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         46




                                   I)L          UNCLASSIFIED


              C. (U) AF74IC Threat Briefing, 20 August 1990 at OTSG to
          Working Group

          6. @    SUMMARY OF MEETING:

              a. t" Briefing by AFMIC, identified Anthrax and
          Botulinum Toxin as the two most likely biological warfare
          agents. Both agents would be delivered by an aerosol route.




              b. (U) Presentation by USAMRDC on clinical aspects of
          Anthrax and Botulism.

              c.       Discussion focused primarily on Anthrax, because
          of the availability of an FDA licensed vaccine and the amount
          of the vaccine on hand and projected to be available in the
          near future.

             d. (U) Discussion on Anthrax:

                 (1) (U) Incubation period 1-6 days (dose dependent);
          gradual onset with non-specific symptoms (fever, malaise, and
          fatigue) and in some cases there may be a short period of
          improvement followed in 2 to 3 days by the sudden development
          of severe respiratory distress; difficult to diagnosis;
          progressive, virtually 100 percent fatal; presence of widened
          mediastinum on chest X-ray; gram stain of nediastinal nodes at
          autopsy can confirm diagnosis.

                 (2) (U) Pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure
          prophylaxis, and medical treatment of casualties from Anthrax
          was discussed. Unclear whether prophylaxis is of any benefit
          and efficacy of treatment is questionable. Spores may persist
          in the lung for long periods of time and produce disease when
          antibiotic therapy is discontinued. Protective mask effective
          while worn. The utility of various types of protective masks
          will be researched.

                 (3) (U) Supply of available vaccines. (see 7b)

                 (4) (U) Immunization schedule. Greater than 90 percent
ivity rate
          after two doses is unknown but challenge studies in monkeys
          shows that two doses may be protective. The recommended
          schedule for the 6-dose primary series is 0, 2, 4 weeks then 6,
          12, 18 months. utilization of a two dose schedule would allow
          timely protection of a greater number of soldiers, but with
          less protection. This issue will be studied further.

                 (5) (Uy Selection of target individuals, units for
          vaccinations. This will require input from outside sources.

                                   !(!ronr.@
                                         IA@ @

                                     UNCLASSIFIED

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Document 7 f:/Week-36/BX003201/AFTER ACTION REPORT INAUGURAL MEETING OF BW/after action report biological warfare ad hoc w:1122961634142
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003201
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = AFTER ACTION REPORT INAUGURAL MEETING OF BW
Folder Seq # = 46
Subject = AFTER ACTION REPORT BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AD HOC W
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 22-NOV-1996