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Results for “Biological Warfare”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Viruses, bacteria and toxins as biological warfare].

Biological weapons are an important part of the level of international threat. Technological development has made biological weapon production relatively simple and cheap, and although a UN convention from 1972 bans biological weapons, governments as well as non-governmental organisations or individuals have developed biological weapons for offensive use in war or terrorism. This article reviews the publically available literature, and clinical and therapeutic possibilities are described. The possibilities for protection of military and civilian groups are discussed and the need for a national contingency plan is emphasized.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A short history of biological warfare.

Biological weapons have been used in war from the start of recorded history. This article reviews the history of the subject, including the outbreak of the Black Death and the use of smallpox against American Indians. The new science of microbiology was misused from soon after its start and, despite the 1925 Geneva Protocol, the Japanese experimented extensively on prisoners in China. The Allies carried out extensive research during the Second World War, notably the United Kingdom into anthrax on Gruinard Island and the United States into a variety of agents. Despite the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), a major programme continued in the former Soviet Union (leading to an accidental outbreak of anthrax). Most recently Iraq was revealed as having an extensive programme, with weaponization of large amounts of various agents, and several terrorists groups have attempted to use biological agents as weapons. Modern developments in biotechnology could lead to even more serious developments, and effective preventive measures, including strengthening of the BWC, are imperative.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed2002

[Contemporary control of biological warfare].

Biological pathogens actually are in the focus of interest as a potential biological weapon in bioterrorist's disposition. In the study the main pathogens and their activity spectrum have been presented. The special attention has been paid upon aerosol way of transmission and its consequences. The possibilities of prevention and treatment of diseases caused by biological pathogens have been also discussed.

Anthrax↗
PubMed1952

BIOLOGICAL warfare.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed1951

BIOLOGICAL warfare.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed1995

From asps to allegations: biological warfare in history.

Biological warfare has been waged intermittently for nearly 2,500 years. The techniques of delivery and weaponization of biological warfare agents have gradually evolved from the catapulting of plague victims to the deliberate use of infected clothes, insect vectors, and specialized weapon systems. Despite advances in immunotherapy and chemotherapy, the threat of biological warfare is increasing, and military health personnel should be acquainted with this area. This paper reviews the history, often controversial, of biological warfare from the Scythian archers through the Russian offensive program in 1994.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Oxidative decontamination of chemical and biological warfare agents using L-Gel.

A decontamination method has been developed using a single reagent that is effective both against chemical warfare (CW) and biological warfare (BW) agents. The new reagent, "L-Gel", consists of an aqueous solution of a mild commercial oxidizer, Oxone, together with a commercial fumed silica gelling agent, Cab-O-Sil EH-5. L-Gel is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, relatively non-corrosive, maximizes contact time because of its thixotropic nature, clings to walls and ceilings, and does not harm carpets or painted surfaces. The new reagent also addresses the most demanding requirements for decontamination in the civilian sector, including availability, low maintenance, ease of application and deployment by a variety of dispersal mechanisms, minimal training and acceptable expense. Experiments to test the effectiveness of L-Gel were conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and independently at four other locations. L-Gel was tested against all classes of chemical warfare agents and against various biological warfare agent surrogates, including spore-forming bacteria and non-virulent strains of real biological agents. Testing showed that L-Gel is as effective against chemical agents and biological materials, including spores, as the best military decontaminants.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed1996

Strategies for the prevention of a successful biological warfare aerosol attack.

Biological warfare (BW) aerosol attacks are different from chemical attacks in that they may provide no warning/all clear signals that allow the soldier to put on or remove his M17/M40 protective mask. Methods are now being perfected to detect a BW aerosol cloud using an airborne (helicopter) pulsed laser system to scan the lower altitudes upwind from a troop concentration of corps size, and to sample and analyze the nature of the aerosol within a brief time interval. This system has certain limitations and vulnerabilities, since it is designed specifically to detect a line-type aerosol attack. Provision of, training with, and field use of a lightweight dust mist or HEPA filter respirator for each soldier is proposed for protection against undetected aerosol attacks. This particulate filter respirator would be issued in addition to the M17/M40 mask. Such a BW respirator will be able to purify the soldier's air by removing particles in the 0.3- to 15-micro m-diameter range with an efficiency of 98 to 100%. Particle size of BW aerosols is in the same range, with an optimum size for high-efficiency casualty production of 1 to 5 micro m mass median diameter. The proposed BW respirator will be lightweight; will require low inhalation pressures; will be comfortable to wear for prolonged periods; will not interfere with vision, hearing, and communication; and will not degrade overall effectiveness and performance to the degree observed with the M17/M40 masks. Such respirators would be worn as part of a contingency defense against an enemy likely to use BW agents. This respirator could be worn for prolonged periods when under threat of an undetectable BW attack during weather conditions favorable to the success of such an attack (i.e., low wind velocity and temperature inversion in the target area). In addition, tactically important assets such as command and control centers and missile batteries can also be protected continuously by air filtration systems powered by electricity (modular collective protection equipment). Vaccinations against anthrax, botulism, Q fever, plague, and tularemia are now available and immune protection against ricin and staphylococcal toxins appears feasible in the near future. Chemotherapy can also be provided for prophylaxis of infectious agents released on the battlefield. The vaccines and antibiotics can provide back-up protection against an unexpected BW attack during a period when the BW respirator is not in use or malfunctions due to a poor seal or filter leak. Enemy sites of biological weapon production, assembly, testing, and storage, and delivery vehicles can be targeted for destruction by bombs and/or missiles. An integrated, well-planned, BW defense with multiple components can decrease the likelihood of a successful enemy BW aerosol attack.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2005

History of chemical and biological warfare agents.

Chemical and biological warfare agents constitute a low-probability, but high-impact risk both to the military and to the civilian population. The use of hazardous materials of chemical or biological origin as weapons and for homicide has been documented since ancient times. The first use of chemicals in terms of weapons of mass destruction goes back to World War I, when on April 22, 1915 large amounts of chlorine were released by German military forces at Ypres, Belgium. Until around the 1970s of the 20th century, the awareness of the threat by chemical and biological agents had been mainly confined to the military sector. In the following time, the development of increasing range delivery systems by chemical and biological agents possessors sensitised public attention to the threat emanating from these agents. Their proliferation to the terrorists field during the 1990s with the expanding scale and globalisation of terrorist attacks suggested that these agents are becoming an increasing threat to the whole world community. The following article gives a condensed overview on the history of use and development of the more prominent chemical and biological warfare agents.

Antidotes↗
PubMed2002

[Personal protection against biological warfare agents].

Exposure to biological warfare agents may occur in several ways, the most prominent being aerosol infection, droplet infection, common component infection and via physical contact. These agents may enter the body through the respiratory tract, mucous membranes and through the skin. The mechanism of exposure and the route of entry of the specific agent will dictate the appropriate protection required. Available protective equipment include respiratory protective devices, full face protective masks and surgical masks for respiratory protection, battle dress overgarments, protective gloves and overboots for skin protection. Full protection is needed when the agent has not been identified. When the biological agent is known, the protective measures should be determined by its characteristics. Protection may include several levels of precautions: standard risk, aerosol infection, droplet infection and contact infection. This paper describes the routes of exposure to biological warfare agents, the available protective equipment and the precautions needed when treating biowarfare casualties.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed1953

Biological warfare.

The use of biological agents as controlled weapons of war is practical although uncertain. Three types of agents are feasible, including pathogenic organisms and biological pests, toxins, and synthetic hormones regulating plant growth. These agents may be chosen for selective effects varying from prolonged incipient illness to death of plants, man and domestic animals. For specific preventive and control measures required to combat these situations, there must be careful and detailed planning. The nucleus of such a program is available within the existing framework of public health activities. Additional research and expansion of established activities in time of attack are necessary parts of biological warfare defense.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed1995

Biological warfare in the twentieth century: lessons from the past, challenges for the future.

Biological warfare and fear of biological warfare have affected our wars, our peace, and our research throughout this century. During World War I, animals were deliberately infected with glanders. During World War II, biowarfare research was carried out by Japan, Germany, England, and the United States. Japan carried out biological warfare attacks in China. England used biological warfare for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. In the 1950s and 1960s, Army researchers released bacteria over U.S. cities in biological warfare tests. The most frequent biological warfare terrorist episodes have been contamination of food and water. Although biological warfare can be very low tech, genetic engineering is capable of making biowarfare agents available in vast quantities. Biowarfare research should continue, but the National Institutes of Health should oversee human biological warfare research.

Biological Warfare↗