BIOLOGICAL
AGENTS
Biological
terrorism is the use of microorganisms or toxins derived from living
organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals, or plants.
Some biologic agents can serve dual purposes: Botulinum toxin, for example,
has several therapeutic uses, including the treatment of certain neuromuscular
disorders.
Recent events have
demonstrated the vulnerability of civilian populations to the threat
of biological agents. The following disease agents are believed to have
the greatest potential for bioterrorism:
 
Cutaneous Anthrax
Routes
of Exposure
Inhalation
The route of exposure of most concern with biological terrorist
attacks is inhalation of the agent. In an attack, a terrorist
might attempt to generate aerosols of the biological agent, which would
produce particles of the right size and diameter to be inhaled deeply
into the lungs where they would begin to cause illness. The aerosol could
be odorless, colorless, and invisible due to its small particle size.
Inhalation was the route of exposure that caused deaths during the anthrax
mail attacks in the United States in the fall of 2001.
Oral
Oral routes of exposure for biological agents are believed less important,
but are still significant. Contamination may occur directly or secondarily
after an aerosol attack and may represent a hazard for infection or intoxication
by ingestion. Ensuring that the food and water supply is free of contamination
is an important function of public health and should be done as soon as
possible after a
biological attack.
Dermal
Intact skin provides the most effective barrier for many, but not all,
biological agents. Mucous membranes and abraded or otherwise damaged skin
can allow passage of some bacteria and viruses: these areas should be
protected in the event of an attack.
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