BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
ANTRHAX DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving ANTHRAX.


Anthrax

A deadly infection caused by bacteria spores commonly found in cows and sheep. It is not contagious.


Symptoms


Infection from inhalation resembles common cold, progresses to severe breathing problems and shock after several days. Inhaled anthrax is usually fatal.


Treatment

Antibiotics such as penicillin or ciprofloxacin must be taken immediately.


Vaccine

Yes. Generally given only to active duty military personnel.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Relatively easy to manufacture and store, but difficult to disperse in large quantities. Bright sunlight kills the spores, and thousands must be inhaled for an infection to develop.


Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
BOTULISM DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving BOTULISM.


Botulism

A muscle-paralyzing disease usually caused by a toxin found in contamination food.


Symptoms

About 18 to 36 hours after exposure, victims develop blurry vision and slurred speech, and paralysis spread through the body. About 8 percent of those infected die.


Treatment

If diagnosed early, an antitoxin can block spread of toxins. Hospital care is essential.


Vaccine

No.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Lethal strains are hard to grow in large quantities and would be difficult to disperse.





Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
CHOLERA DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving CHOLERA.


CHOLERA

An acute diarrheal illness transmitted through contaminated food and water.


Symptoms

Often mild. About 1 in 20 cases are severe, with diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps. Fewer than 1 percent of those infected die if treated promptly.


Treatment

Replace lost fluids and salts. Antibiotics are sometimes used.


Vaccine

Yes, but not in U.S.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Likelihood of use as a weapon is very low.



Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University




BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
PLAGUE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving PLAGUE.


PLAGUE

Highly contagious disease has killed millions through history but is very rare today.


Symptoms

Fever, chills and a cough with blood appear one to six days after exposure. Is fatal in almost all untreated cases.


Treatment

Antibiotics (for pneumonic plague, the type most likely to be spread in a terrorist attack).


Vaccine

No.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Bacteria is widely available in microbe banks around the world. Could be transmitted by infecting fleas or by aerosol.





Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
SALMONELLOSIS DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving SALMONELLOSIS


Salmonellosis

Infection caused by bacteria usually spread by eating foods tainted by animal feces..


Symptoms

Diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Very rarely causes death.


Treatment

Often not required unless dehydration is severe. Recovery is usually 5 to 7 days.


Vaccine

No.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Relatively easy to obtain and manufacture.






Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
SMALLPOX DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving SMALLPOX


Smallpox

Eradicated from people in 1970’s, highly transmissible virus is universally feared as most devastating infectious disease.


Symptoms

About 12 to 14 days after exposure, high fever and headache give way to rash on the mouth and face. It is fatal about 30 percent of the time.


Treatment

There is no proven treatment. Vaccine within four days of exposure can lessen severity.


Vaccine


Yes. Emergency supplies are available.


Possibilities as a Weapon

U.S. and Russia have only known stores but other countries may have samples. Large-scale manufacture is difficult; would be hard to spread through aerosol.



Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
TULAREMIA DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving TULAREMIA


Tularemia

Hardy, highly infectious organism usually transmitted by rabbits and mice.


Symptoms

Flulike symptoms usually begin within three days of exposure. Affects the lymph glands; can be fatal in up to 60 percent of untreated cases.


Treatment

Antibiotics are usually effective.


Vaccine

Yes, but not FDA approved. Not available to public.


Possibilities as a Weapon

As few as 10 organisms, which can survive for weeks, can cause disease. Has been stockpiled in the past by U.s., Soviet Union and Japan militaries.





Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
Q FEVER DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving Q FEVER.


Q Fever

Very infectious, airborne agent commonly found in livestock. A single organism can cause disease.


Symptoms

About half of victims show signs, ranging from high fever and headache to pneumonia. Fewer than 2 percent of infected people die.


Treatment

Antibiotics are effective, though most patients recover without treatment.


Vaccine

Yes, but not widely used.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Organism is resistant to heat and drying.





Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
BIOLOGICAL DISEASES MABAS DIVISION XX
VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVERS DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a biological attack involving VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVERS.


Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Highly contagious fevers such as Ebola and Marburg diseases are usually caught from animals.


Symptoms

Vary greatly, but generally include high fevers and dizziness with signs of bleeding under the skin. Shock follows, and most cases are fatal.


Treatment

Generally none.


Vaccine

No.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Manufacturing, storing and transporting a little-understood virus like Ebola would be very difficult.




Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
CHEMICAL AGENTS MABAS DIVISION XX
SARIN DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a chemical attack involving SARIN.


Sarin

A colorless, odorless gas dispersed in a droplet or mist form.


Symptoms

Runny nose, bronchial secretions, tightness in the chest, dimming of vision, drooling, excessive perspiration, nausea, muscle tremors, coma, death.


Treatment

Wash exposed areas with soap and water and get an immediate antidote at a hospital.


Vaccine

Vaccines do not apply to chemicals.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Can be manufactured with fairly simple chemical techniques. The raw materials are inexpensive and generally available.





Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
CHEMICAL AGENTS MABAS DIVISION XX
VX DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a chemical attack involving VX.


VX

Looks like motor oil and is 100 times more lethal than SARIN when it enters through skin.


Symptoms

Runny nose, bronchial secretions, tightness in the chest, dimming of vision, drooling, excessive perspiration, nausea, muscle tremors, coma, death.


Treatment

Wash exposed areas with soap and water and get immediate antidote at a hospital.


Vaccine

No. Vaccines do not apply to chemicals.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Can be made with fairly simple chemical techniques. The raw materials are inexpensive and generally available.




Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University
CHEMICAL AGENTS MABAS DIVISION XX
MUSTARD GAS DIRECTIVE

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Purpose

Experts have identified dozens of biological diseases and chemical agents that could be used as weapons. The risk of such an attack remains very low. However, the following directive is meant to educate the fire fighter about the dangers of a chemical attack involving MUSTARD GAS.


Mustard Gas

Can be yellow to dark brown and can smell like burning garlic.


Symptoms

Sneezing, coughing, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, apathy, blistering.


Treatment

Wash exposed areas with soap and water and get antidote at a hospital.


Vaccine

No. Vaccines do not apply to chemicals.


Possibilities as a Weapon

Has been used frequently as a weapon in past wars.







Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Civilian Biofense Studies, Journal of American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins University

__________________
If faith is lost, there is no security and there is no life for him who does not adhere to religion.
Muhammad Iqbal