INAUGURAL MEETING OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AD HOC

File: 120396_sep96_decls92_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 8

Subject: INAUGURAL MEETING OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AD HOC                  

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003203

Folder Title: AAR INAUGURAL MEETING OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AD HOC COMMITTEE                                    

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:        176


                                    lcrr--, .
                                   OL           UNCLASSIFIED


              C. (U) AFMIC Threat Briefing, 20 August 1990 at OT!
          Working Group

          6. @    SUMMARY OF MEETING:

                      '21                            Anthrax and
              a.      6
          BotuilnUM TOXin"asMthe two most likely biological warfare
          agents. Both agents would be delivered by an aerosol roi
          Three other possible agents briefly mentioned were
          Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B, Clostridum Perfringens, anc
          Vibrio Cholerae.

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

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

             d. (U) Discussion on Anthrax:

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

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

e vaccines. (see 7b)

                 (4) (U) Immunization schedule. Greater than 90          t
          seropositive after three doses of vaccine. Seropositivil       e
          after two doses is unknown but challenge studies in monki
          shows that two doses may be protective. The recommended
          schedule for the 6-dose primary series is 0, 2, 4 weeks I
          12, 18 months. Utilization of a two dose schedule would
          timely protection of a greater number of soldiers, but wJ
          less protection. This issue will be studied further.

                 (5) (U) Selection of target individuals, units fc
          vaccinations. This will require input from outside sourc


                                             t UNCLASSIFIED

Document 8 f:/Week-36/BX003203/AAR INAUGURAL MEETING OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AD HOC COMMITTEE/inaugural meeting of biological warfare ad hoc:11259610134232
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = AAR INAUGURAL MEETING OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AD HOC COMMITTEE
Folder Seq # = 176
Subject = INAUGURAL MEETING OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AD HOC
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