Overview of Biological Warfare
Biological warfare is the intentional use of disease causing organisms and/or toxins to injure, kill, and/or weaken enemy's resistance to attack and reduce the will to wage war. Biological agents that may be employed on the modern battlefield pose an immediate threat to personnel exposed to them. Our survival and success in combat involving these weapons requires a thorough understanding of how they can be used and what we can do to protect ourselves.
Biological agents that may be used as weapons can be classified as follows:
(1) Bacteria-are small free-living organisms
(2) Viruses-are organisms which require living cells in which to replicate
(3) Rickettsiae-are microorganisms which have characteristics common to both bacteria and viruses carried by parasites
(4) Chlamydia-are obligatory intracellular parasites incapable of generating their own energy source
(5) Fungi- are primitive plants, which do not utilize photosynthesis, are capable of anaerobic growth, and draw nutrition from decaying vegetable matter
(6) Toxins- are poisonous substances produced and derived from living plants, animals, or microorganisms; some toxins may also be produced or altered by chemical means
Intrinsic features of biological agents that influence their potential for use as weapons include-
(1) Infectivity -Reflects the relative ease with which microorganisms establish themselves in a host species
(2) Virulence -Reflects the relative severity of disease produced by the agent
(3) Toxicity -Reflects the relative severity of illness or incapacitation produced by a toxin
(4) Pathogenicity -Reflects the capability of an infectious agent to cause disease in a susceptible host
(5) Incubation period -Reflects the time between exposure to an agent or toxin and the appearance of symptoms
(6) Transmissibility -Reflects the relative ease in which an agent is passed from person to person
(7) Lethality -Reflects the relative ease in which an agent causes death in a susceptible population
(8) Stability -Reflects an agents ability to remain viable when exposed to environmental factors, including temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pollution, and sunlight
(9) Additional factors - Suitability of a microorganism or toxin for use as a weapon may be influenced by factors such as ease of production; stability when stored or transported; and ease of dissemination
(1) Aerosol - live microorganisms can be introduced into the air in a wet aerosol. The use of an aerosol is considered more likely than any other method
(2) Large liquid drops - using large liquid drops of agent, usually toxins, will cause ground contamination which is similar to a persistent chemical agent
(3) Arthropod vector - least likely to be used because
(a) Cost of producing the vectors
(b) Controlling the vectors after their release
(c) Natural predators that might destroy the vectors
(4) Covert - use of a biological agent by a terrorist group is a potential threat against
(a) Large population centers
(b) Military targets
(c) Political targets
The same routes of entry pertinent to natural spread of diseases are also relevant when their etiologic agents are delivered intentionally by weapons.
Aerosol delivery of an agent or toxin could result in exposure through one or more of the following routes
(1) Respiratory exposure
(a) Aerosol delivery systems aim to generate invisible clouds with particles or droplets between .5 and 10 microns in diameter
(b) Inhalation of agent aerosols provides a direct pathway to the systemic circulation
(c) Natural process of breathing causes a continuing influx of biological agent to exposed individuals
(2) Ingestion. Food and water supplies may be contaminated by an aerosol delivered attack. Consumption could result in exposure and disease.
(3) Dermal exposure. Intact skin provides an excellent barrier against infection. Mucous membranes and damaged skin constitute breaches in this normal barrier through which agents may pass.
Contamination of food and water
Direct contamination of consumables, such as drinking water, food stuffs of medications could be used as a means to disseminate infectious agents or toxins
(1) Most likely be the result of sabotage efforts used against military units or bases
(2) Filtration and chlorination significantly reduces this hazard in regards to water supplies
(3) Arthropod vector releases; can be used to release infected natural and unnatural arthropod hosts such as mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks
Optimum time for dissemination
The hours between dusk to dawn present the optimum time for dissemination for the following reasons:
(1) Inactivation of biological aerosols by ultraviolet radiation is minimal
(2) Prevailing atmospheric conditions allow an agent cloud to travel great distances
Pathogens
Are disease producing microorganisms, such as bacteria, mycoplasma, rickettsia, fungi, or viruses. Carried by arthropods, rodents, monkeys, or man
Toxins
Are poisons naturally produced through the activities of living organisms. Produced by plants, microorganisms and animals
Other agents of biological origin
(1) The human body has a very small quantity of biological agents
(2) For example: bioregulators/modulators (BRM) can be small molecules or peptides that act as neurotransmitters and/or modifiers of neural responses
(3) If introduced in large quantities, will cause severe adverse effects or death
The U.S. Army does not have equipment that will detect and identify biological agents
All soldiers need to be aware of certain indicators that indicate an attack is occurring or has occurred
(1) Mysterious illness in both the soldier and civilian population which approaches epidemic numbers
(2) An unusual, unknown, or uncommonly seen disease or syndrome for the particular geographical area
(3) Large number of insects that are unusual, unnatural for the area, or have significantly increased in number
(4) Deaths of animals in the region from unknown causes or from the same diseases as human victims
(5) Mist or fog sprayed by slow moving aircraft or helicopter
(6) Artillery shells which detonate with less powerful explosions than HE rounds
(7) Aerial bombs that pop as opposed to exploding
(1) Ensure all soldiers have updated routine immunizations and immunize them against the specific anticipated biological threat, if an immunization exists for the particular agent(s). Medical intelligence agencies will provide warnings as needed
(2) Maintain personal hygiene and physical fitness
(3) Maintain field sanitation guidelines
(1) Reduce respiratory exposure by donning the M40 series protective mask
(2) Wear the battle dress overgarment, chemical protective boots, and gloves
(3) Utilize a protective shelter that has a filtered air supply
(1) Personnel - decontaminate exposed skin with the M291 decontamination kit or use warm soapy water to remove the agent
(2) Equipment - use M295 individual equipment decontamination kit or the M11, M13 portable decon apparatus
(3) Food and water - seal or box foodstuffs and boil water for 15 minutes
Continue mission only if it will not spread the contamination to non-exposed personnel
Identify the agent
(1) To institute a specific treatment
(2) To institute measures to control the exposure
(3) To confirm that an attack occurred
(4) To estimate time of exposure
(5) To estimate number of possible casualties
(6) To get intelligence as to the enemy's biological capability
Administer medical treatment
(1) Monitor and support both cardiac and respiratory functions
(2) Treat for shock
(3) Administer appropriate therapy and/or medication if the specific agent is known and the medication is available
(4) Protect patient from further biological agent exposure
(5) Complete the field medical card
(6) Evacuate the patient
(a) Notify the evacuation personnel at the battalion aid station (BAS) of the biological casualty
(b) Ensure that both the patient and evacuation personnel are in protective clothing
(c) The patient will be treated and held at the BAS to prevent further spreading of the contamination
It is the responsibility of every soldier to prepare himself/herself for a possible biological attack by maintaining current immunizations and wearing protective clothing properly. Additionally, the medical specialist will be responsible for recognizing signs and symptoms of the biological agent exposure in their patients as well as rendering the care.