bioterrorism is a low-probability event that may have catastrophic consequences. Fortunately, there have been few large-scale attempts by terrorists to use biologic agents, the only "successful" instance of ...
bioterrorism is a low-probability event that may have catastrophic consequences. Fortunately, there have been few large-scale attempts by terrorists to use biologic agents, the only "successful" instance of which resulted in 751 cases of illness. Nevertheless, the potential exists for attacks using either lethal or nonlethal pathogens. How well we respond to a threat or attack will depend on the preparedness of our public health and medical communities. Taking precautions by increasing laboratory security, thus reducing access to dangerous pathogens, may act as a deterrent.
As currently defined, category-A agents are those most likely to cause mass casualties if deliberately disseminated, generally as small-particle aerosols, and require broadbased public-health preparedness. Category A ...
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As currently defined, category-A agents are those most likely to cause mass casualties if deliberately disseminated, generally as small-particle aerosols, and require broadbased public-health preparedness. Category A includes some of the classic warfare agents, such as Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. preparedness for category-B agents, which can also be disseminated widely, includes many of the efforts for the category-A agents or is limited. For example, a tetracycline and a fluroquinolone in the stockpile for a category-A agent will be adequate for many of the agents in category B. Most of these agents have either been made into weapons in the past or are being considered in this context by state-sponsored programmes. Category B includes agents that could be used to contaminate food or water sources. It is recognised that these more readily available biological agents are more likely to be used, exemplified by the use of Salmonella typhimurium to infect over 750 people in Dalles, Oregon, in 1987.15 However, these agents may not necessarily cause mass casualties, and their use may often be more in the setting of biological crime or extortion than terrorism. Category-C agents are emerging infectious diseases or agents with characteristics that could be exploited for deliberate dissemination. These agents will be intensively studied and generally managed as part of the CDC emerging-infectious-disease programmes.16
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