Biological Weapons
... can be fatal. Smallpox is the biggest concern of today. It has been eradicated since the 20th century but there are threats that terrorists have created a new strain. The biggest problem with Smallpox is that it’s very contagious, and kills very quickly. Up to 40% of people that contract the virus die from it in about two weeks and there are no-good cures for the virus. Vaccinations for the virus are the most effective way to combat the virus but it must be taken before the exposer to the virus. Botulin toxin is a bacteria that is deadly to people in extremely small quantities, as little as a billionth of a gram. The bacterium causes chemicals in the nerve cells to contract the muscles, causing paralysis. Ebola virus is one of the most common names in biological agents. It can be easily introduced into the water system and butchering houses. It has recently been a problem in Europe. Anthrax is the easiest bacterium to spread from place to place. There are three main ways to distribute the virus, through air, water and food. The most feared scenario is through the air. A bomb or missile explodes, spreading the agent over a wide area. A crop-duster or some other aircraft sprays the agent over a city. A car or truck that goes through the city and sprays a fine mist along the city streets in crowded areas. Anthrax has become a major concern for alarm in today’s society. It’s not caused by a virus but rather a bacteria. Bacillus anthracis is the bacterium that causes the disease anthrax. It has historically affected herbivores like cattle, sheep or other grazing animals. Because it is found all over the world there is no escaping it. The spore because of the tough outer layer can survive without being in a host for decades. To germinate it must have the right environment, amino acids, nucleosides and glucose, like those found in the tissues of humans and other animal. Time of germination depends what way it entered the human system. Inhalation into the lungs is the most deadly. The spores have no taste, smell or color, so the person would not notice anything ever happened. In order for the spore to enter the lungs it must be very small, from 1-5 microns. Inhaled anthrax begins to show symptoms in seven to ten days, although it could be as early as two days. And can take as long as 60 days for the disease to surface. However once germination starts, the progresses very rapidly. It comes in two waves; it begins with fever, cough, headache, vomiting, chills, weakness, abdominal pains, and shortness of breath. The second wave brings convulsions, intense vomiting, shock then finally death. Treatment of inhaled anthrax has to start very early after the spore enters the body. If treatment starts after symptoms get worse, the bacteria may be killed but the toxin will remain in the body. It can also enter through the eyes, nose and mouth or through a cut or abrasion on the skin. Open cuts allow the spores to get into direct contact with the skin and underlying tissue. When it attacks a person's skin, a sore with a coal-black center develops. The head and arms are the most often affected areas. Skin anthrax as its called accounts for more then 95% of cases worldwide. If left untreated, it has a fatality rate of 5%- 20%, if treated it rarely leads to death. Signs of the disease can occur as late as 12 days after contact. The germination results in local swelling of the skin, a small bump will appear. For the days to follow it will grow in size and eventually leak out a clear liquid. Then a painless black scab will form that will dry, and fall off within two weeks ...