MTG OF AD HOC WORKING GRP FOR MED DEF AGAINST BIOL WARFARE

File: 120396_sep96_decls91_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 5

Subject: MTG OF AD HOC WORKING GRP FOR MED DEF AGAINST BIOL WARFARE      

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003203

Folder Title: AAR  MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP  BIOLOGICAL                                            

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:        207





                                                     UNCLASSIFIED



                           AFTER ACTION REPORT: MEETING OF THE


                  AD HOC WORKING GROUP FOR THE MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST


                         BIOLOGICAL WARFARE, 24 & 31 AUGUST 1990

            1. (U) AGENDA (Enel 1).

            2. (U) SIGN-IN-ROSTER (Encl 2).

            3. (U) PURPOSE. To assess biological warfare threat against
            U.S. Forces in support of Operation Desert Shield and to
            evaluate AMEDDs ability to respond with emphasis on Detection
            and Surveillance; Diagnosis; Therapy; and, Prevention,
            including Personal Protective Measures, Chemoprophylaxis and
            Vaccination.


            4.       SUMMARY OF MEETING.

                a. (U) The After Action Report from the Inaugural Meeting
            of the Biological Warfare Ad Hoc Working Group, 20 August 1990,
            was rev@ewed and stood as written.

                b.       Briefing by AFMIC confirmed the existence of an
            additional 10 refrigerated bunkers (previously 2 confirmed)
            capable of storing biologic agents. They stated Iraq has the
            expertise to genetically alter the organism strains they
            possess. They also reported their nonconcurrence on a CIA
            report which dismissed the biologic threat as unlikely. AFMIC
            still believes that anthrax and botulinum toxin remain the two
            most likely threat agents.

                C. (U) Presentation by USAMRDC on Staphylococcal
            Enterotoxin B (SEB)and Clostridium perfringens. SEB delivered
            via the aerosol route, ould produce a distinct syndrome
            causing significant morbidity and potential mortality.
            Incubation period would be 1 to 6 hours after exposure with
            sudden onset of fever, chills, headaches, myalgia, and a
            nonproductive cough. Laboratory findings are not specific and
 rapidly. Treatment is limited and there
            is no prophylaxis available for SEB intoxication. C.
            Perfringens has associated with it at least 12 protein toxins
            and 1 or more could be used as a BW agent. According to
            USAMRDC, "the best speculation is that the alpha toxin would be
            lethal by aerosol." Patients exposed to -C. iperfrincfens alpha
            toxin would be expected to show serious acute pulmonary insult
            to include vascular leak, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and
            liver damage. No specific laboratory diagnosis, therapy, or
            prophylaxis exists for C. Perfringens intoxication.

                d.       USAMRDC reported a team is being assembled which
            will consist of a physician, a preventive medicine resident, a
            MS officer, and two enlisted NCOs (91S and 91A/B), who will
            accompany the anthrax vaccine to theater once the   approval on
                                                       IFIED BY. Dir. AFMIC ..........
                                                                "'Ow'
        DECLASSIFIED                             UNCLASSIFIED   ........:.............
        ON: 07 NOV 96                                           OADR
        BY: SEC ARMY (DAMH) U r@R'@'E@'C@ @.4 EO 1299&ASSIFY ON' ..................

Document 5 f:/Week-36/BX003203/AAR MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP BIOLOGICAL/mtg of ad hoc working grp for med def against bi:11259610134131
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = AAR MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP BIOLOGICAL
Folder Seq # = 207
Subject = MTG OF AD HOC WORKING GRP FOR MED DEF AGAINST BI
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