MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 120396_sep96_decls8_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 13

Subject: MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL             

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003203

Folder Title: MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS                                            

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         27

















               ]MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL



                                     GENERAL




           The purpose of this paper is to provide an overall view of the
       problems that might be created in a biological operation and of
       the methods of handling these problems. Experimental and
       theoretical considerations underlie the concepts set forth. The
       paper is not meant to be all inclusive. Additional information is
       available from existing textbooks on infectious diseases. The
       report of the American Public Health Association "Control of
       Communicable Disease in Man" (published by The American Public
       Health Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street NW, Washington, DC
       20005) is particularly recommended.


           In the event of a biological attack, the most important factor
       in providing operationally relevant information and adequate
       medical management will be the rapid establishment of an accurate,
       specific etiologic diagnosis. In contrast to naturally occurring
       epidemics, in which the disease incidence increases over a period
       of weeks or months an artificially induced epidemic will peak in a
       few hours or days. Since a biological attack may be silent or
       nearly so, the first indication of an attack may well be the
       appearance of a wave of casualties. Early clinical signs and
       symptoms may be non-specific or atypical of the natural disease.
       Medical personnel may be unable to differentiate natural disease
       epidemics from overt or covert enemy attacks. The incubation
       period of most infectious diseases is variable, but may be as long
       as 3 weeks. Onset of illness following exposure to toxic agents
       may range from minutes to hours. Considerable time may elapse
       following a biological attack before the extent of the exposure is
       perceived. Some potential biological agents are transmissible
 after the initial attack may be important.

Document 13 f:/Week-36/BX003203/MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS/medical countermeasures against biological mater:1108961508469
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Folder Seq # = 27
Subject = MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATER
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 = 08-NOV-1996