AAR INAUGURAL MTG OF BIOL WARFARE AD HOC WKG GROUP

File: 120396_sep96_decls90_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 8

Subject: AAR INAUGURAL MTG OF BIOL WARFARE AD HOC WKG GROUP              

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003203

Folder Title: AAR  INAUGURAL MEETING                                                                          

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:        211




                                               UNCLASSIFIED



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

          6. @    SUMMARY OF MEETING:

              a.       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.
          Three other possible agents briefly mentioned were
          Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B, Clostridum Perfringens, and
          Vibrio Cholerae.

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

              C.       Discussion focused primarily an 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 mediastinal 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.

 vaccines. (see 7b)

                 (4) (U) Immunization schedule. Greater than 90 percent
          seropositive after three doses of vaccine. Seropositivity 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) (U) Selection of target individuals, units for
          vaccinations. This will require input from outside sources.

                                   @or-lln'Fl UNCLASSIFIED

Document 8 f:/Week-36/BX003203/AAR INAUGURAL MEETING/aar inaugural mtg of biol warfare ad hoc wkg gro:11259610134130
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = AAR INAUGURAL MEETING
Folder Seq # = 211
Subject = AAR INAUGURAL MTG OF BIOL WARFARE AD HOC WKG GRO
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 = 25-NOV-1996