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120 - Bioterrorism

from Part XVII - Bioterrorism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2013

Eleni Patrozou
Affiliation:
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University School
Andrew W. Artenstein
Affiliation:
The Warren Alpert School Medical School of Brown University
David Schlossberg
Affiliation:
Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia
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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Bioterrorism (BT), the deliberate use of microbial agents or their toxins as weapons for political gain, continues to represent a persistent global threat due to the apparent availability of these substances and the potential willingness of terrorists to deploy them against civilian targets. An actual calculation of “risk” as it relates to BT is not possible; whereas the negative consequences associated with exposure to biological agents may be quite high, the probability of exposure to these hazards is truly unknown — it remains in the unpredictable and malicious minds of terrorists. Because of the potential for catastrophic sequelae, it is important for clinicians to understand the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to illnesses caused by agents of BT to mitigate the effects of an attack.

Bioterrorism agents are considered weapons of mass terror because of their potential for large-scale morbidity and mortality; one early model postulated nearly 200 000 casualties from a release of 50 kg of aerosolized anthrax spores upwind of a population center of 500 000. Yet they possess unique properties among such weapons because, unlike conventional, chemical, and nuclear weapons, BT agents have a clinical latency period during which transmission may occur and detection is difficult. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified BT threats into priority groupings, based on their feasibility for deployment and their potential for mortality and public health impact; this categorization (Table 120.1) has informed current biodefense strategies.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2008

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  • Bioterrorism
  • Edited by David Schlossberg
  • Book: Clinical Infectious Disease
  • Online publication: 05 March 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511722240.121
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  • Bioterrorism
  • Edited by David Schlossberg
  • Book: Clinical Infectious Disease
  • Online publication: 05 March 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511722240.121
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Bioterrorism
  • Edited by David Schlossberg
  • Book: Clinical Infectious Disease
  • Online publication: 05 March 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511722240.121
Available formats
×