What is a bioterrorism attack?

A biological attack, or bioterrorism, is the intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops.

What are examples of bioterrorism?

Bioterrorism Diseases

• Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
• Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)
• Plague (Yersinia pestis)
• Smallpox (variola major)
• Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
• Viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses [e.g., Ebola, Marburg] and arenaviruses [e.g., Lassa, Machupo])

How do you survive a bioterrorist attack?

Wash yourself with soap and water and put on clean clothes. Contact authorities and seek medical assistance. You may be advised to stay away from others or even to quarantine. If your symptoms match those described and you are in the group considered at risk, immediately seek emergency medical attention.

How common are bioterrorism attacks?

These “weapons” are spread through air, water, or food sources. Bioterrorism is rare and is used to threaten people, governments, and countries. In bioterrorist attacks, usually only a small number of people may be injured or affected. However, many more become afraid.

Who is responsible for bioterrorism?

CDC provides oversight for the select agents and toxins that cause diseases in people, and APHIS provides oversight for select agents and toxins that cause diseases in animals and plants. CDC and APHIS share the responsibility for agents that threaten both humans and animals, such as anthrax.

What is the risk of bioterrorism?

Bioterrorism and other high consequence biological events can result in mass casualties, epidemic illness, healthcare worker illness, environmental contamination, legal issues, and cause unease within the medical community and the community at large.

Has Botulism been used for bioterrorism?

Some countries with biological weapons programs have made the toxin that causes botulism. Some groups have tried unsuccessfully to use the toxin to intentionally harm people. Public health authorities know the toxin could be used in a biological attack.

How long has bioterrorism been around?

Bioterrorism literally means using microorganisms or infected samples to cause terror and panic in populations. Bioterrorism had already started 14 centuries before Christ, when the Hittites sent infected rams to their enemies.

A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death. These germs are often found in nature. But they can sometimes be made more harmful by increasing their ability to cause disease, spread, or resist medical treatment.

What have military leaders learned about bioterrorism?

Military leaders, however, have learned that, as a military asset, bioterrorism has some important limitations; it is difficult to use a bioweapon in a way that only affects the enemy and not friendly forces. A biological weapon is useful to terrorists mainly as a method of creating mass panic and disruption to a state or a country.

What is a biological attack?

A biological attack is the deliberate release of germs or other biological substances that can make you sick. There are three basic groups of biological agents that could likely be used as weapons: bacteria, viruses and toxins.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of bioterrorism?

Bioterrorism may be favored because biological agents are relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain, can be easily disseminated, and can cause widespread fear and panic beyond the actual physical damage. Military leaders, however, have learned that, as a military asset, bioterrorism has some important limitations;

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