Biological attack

Biological attack refers to the intentional release of biological agents (bacteria, viruses, or other germs) to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. These agents are typically found in nature, but it is possible that they could be changed to increase their ability to cause disease, make them resistant to current medicines, or to increase their ability to be spread into the environment.

History

The use of biological agents is not a new concept, and history is filled with examples of biological weapons use. For instance, in the 6th century B.C., the Assyrians poisoned enemy wells with a fungus that would render the enemy delirious. In the modern era, biological warfare took a new turn with the advent of scientific research and the creation of various programs to create more potent biological weapons.

Types of Biological Agents

Biological agents can be spread through the air, water, or food. Some can also be spread from person to person. They can be very hard to detect and do not cause illness for several hours to several days. Some bioterrorism agents, like the smallpox virus, can survive in the environment for long periods of time.

The anthrax bacterium, the botulism toxin, the plague bacterium, the smallpox virus, and the tularemia bacterium are among the most likely biological agents to be used in a biological attack due to their ability to be spread in the air and cause severe disease.

Prevention and Response

Prevention of a biological attack involves the use of intelligence services to detect the threat before it occurs. This can involve monitoring potential terrorist groups or individuals who may have access to biological agents.

In the event of a biological attack, the response would involve a combination of law enforcement, public health, and medical personnel. The first priority would be to identify the biological agent used, followed by the initiation of treatment for those affected, and the implementation of measures to prevent further spread of the agent.

See Also

• Bioterrorism
• Chemical warfare
• Nuclear warfare