Biological terrorism

Biological terrorism

Introduction

Biological terrorism is considered to be the terrorism which involves intentionally releasing biological agents. These agents include toxins, viruses and bacteria. The use of biological agents is also referred to as germ warfare. A bioterrorist attack is known to be the intentional release of toxins, bacteria or other harmful agents which may be used in causing death or illness in plants, animals as well as people, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Biological agents are easily usable by the terrorists as they could be spread like fire from one individual to another or the harmful gases or toxin may spread in the air and affect everyone in the surrounding (Lerner, K. L., & Lerner, B. W. 2006). The agents are available easily and are not that expensive to attain. The most harmful effect of biological agents is that they are capable of causing a widespread fear in the minds of the people, which may prove to be more damaging than actual number of casualties.

Discussion

Bioterrorist attacks in US in the 20th century to present

In the 20th century, the first bioterrorist attack was focused on the city of The Dalles, Oregon in 1984. This attack was initiated by the followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in an attempt of controlling the local elections by infecting the local population. The attack was targeted by infecting eleven restaurants and the bacteria spread out much quicker than expected. There were no known fatalities but 751 people were reported of having severe food poisoning because of the attack (Past U.S. Incidents of Food Bioterrorism, 2008). Another attack was done in 2001, where the deliberate attacks of anthrax was targeted at different places, including the US congress as well as the offices of news media. These attacks were minor in nature and the death casualties were limited to 5 (Past U.S. Incidents of Food Bioterrorism, 2008). This encouraged the US to develop their bio-security program.

Types of Agents

Only the Category A biological agents would be defined here which would include:

Anthrax: this is known to be disease which is non-contagious and spreads from bacteria. Anthrax could be in any form.

Tularemia: this is also known as rabbit fever. This agent is capable of incapacitating an individual severely and could be executed with in the air as the maximum damage would involve the maximum number of people inhaling the agent.

Smallpox: this is a virus which is considered to be highly contagious. This virus has a high rate of mortality which could be around 20 to 40 percent and could be transmitted easily through air (Banoub, J. H. 2011).

Bubonic Plague: this is a dangerous disease and consists of rodents as its normal host. The disease is transmitted usually from flea bites and through aerosol. This is one of the oldest agents in history. An example would be the Black Death in Medieval Europe. This threat could be used in the form of pneumonic plague.

Botulinum Toxin: this is considered to one of the most deadly ...