RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT 20 AUG 90

File: 120396_sep96_decls54_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 16

Subject: RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT 20 AUG 90          

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003201

Folder Title: OPERATION DESERT SHIELD RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT                            

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         45









           INTRODUCTION



                 The options for therapy and biological prophylaxis against the projected
           threat agents are limited, and outlined in the enclosed document. Clearly, the
           most effective and singularly most important prophylaxis is physical protection.
           The major risk to be addressed is that of aerosol exposure. Protection of the
           respiratory tract and mucous membranes (to i nclude the conjunctivae)
           constitutes the best alternative, and should, theoretically, obviate the need for
           additional measures. All prophylactic modalities described below should be
           viewed only as secondary (i.e., backup), and not be relied upon as primary
           protective measures.
                 Agent exposures near the source of dissemination will be high, and likely
           to overwhelm any medical protective measure. The precise efficacy of
           available medical countermeasures has, of course, never been evaluated in
           actual field circumstances, but is largely inferred from laboratory studies on
           non-human primates. We believe these extrapolations may be inexact, but
           strongly support the efficacy of vaccines and drugs at some agent dose.
                 Unlike some chemical threats, aerosols of the agents discussed below do
           not leave hazardous environmental residua (although anthrax spores are
           extremely persistent and could pose a hazard near a dissemination site).
           Neither clinical laboratory samples nor medical care of these patients are
           dangerous. However, postmortem examination of suspected anthrax victims
           should be performed with mask, gown, and glove precautions because of the
           high titers of vegetative organisms that may be present.
                 Outlined below is an agent-by-agent assessment of our current capability
                                                   2           DRAFT

Document 16 f:/Week-36/BX003201/OPERATION DESERT SHIELD RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT/response to the biological warfare bw threat 20 :11229616342212
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003201
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = OPERATION DESERT SHIELD RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT
Folder Seq # = 45
Subject = RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT 20
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