Hazard 2: Biological Weapons

Biological weapons, are contagious agents such as germs or microorganisms with the intended use of causing harm to other persons. They are inexpensive, simple to produce and easily concealed.

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ANTHRAX - Skin or Respiratory Attack
	Iraq, Iran, Russia, and as many as 10 nations have the capacity to load spores of B anthracis into weapons
	Iraq, more than Iran, has the high tech equipment and materials for making and successful use as a biological weapon
	In 1995, 17 countries were thought to have biological weapons programs
	Easily transformed into a powder
	Spread by touching or inhaling
	Difficult to impact large populations – no cost/effort/impact efficiency
	Bacteria generates colorless and odorless spores, comparable to plant seeds
	Attack on individuals through mail, packages, etc.
	If you receive an envelope that it believed to be filled with anthrax powder, leave it alone and phone 911
	Warning signs of a suspicious envelope include: typographical errors, return address missing, too much postage, or addressed as "personal"
	There is probability al Queda terrorists could have huge amount of spores accumulated
	Large scale attacks can be released by small engine airplane, released on a sea coast city or large body of water
	220 pounds or 100 kilograms of anthrax spores released over Washington, D.C. during ideal weather conditions, would cause between 130,000 and 3 million persons to die, similar to dropping a hydrogen bomb
	Could endanger vast number of people
	Persons inside as well as those outside would be exposed the identical amount
	No warning signals or sirens to detect anthrax spores being released into the air
	Not contagious -- not spread among individuals
	The majority of spores are far too large for air suspension, or overly tiny to settle in the lungs
	Damage in large scale attack would not be known until the first person was diagnosed
	First phase symptoms begin 1-6 days after touching or inhaling
	Initially symptoms are similar to skin rash or upper respiratory ailment/flu-like symptoms
	Symptoms improve after a few hours or 2-3 days
	Takes approximately 36 to 48 hours for tests to confirm symptoms
	Second phase symptoms begin after short period of improvement from first phase
	Second phase symptoms are elevated temperature, difficulty breathing, sweating, blue skin, and shock, and death in 24-36 hours
	Kids under two months of age have comparable symptoms as adults
	Children under two months in more serious danger and face a possibility of death
	Medical Treatment: Second stage treatment has maximum usefulness
	Antibiotics need to be taken for at least 60 days
	Not all antibiotics will work
	The antibiotic Cipro MUST be taken after being exposed and before symptoms start appearing or ineffective
	Other medications approved for treatment include penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol
	The susceptibility to a particular strain is a determining factor of what medication should be provided
	Alternative treatment: Homeopathic remedy for anthrax is Anthracinum
	Essential Oils: Frankincense supports respiratory system (medical support only)
	Precaution: Beware of powdery substances in mail. Leave alone and call 911
	Academy Psychic*Surveillance™
	~ Small Individual Attacks:    USA Risk Level: High-Confirmed Confidence Level: 100% ~ Large Scale Attack:    USA Risk Level: Medium-Low Confidence Level: 75%
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SMALLPOX, Contagious Disease     One of most dangerous biological terrors
	Viral disease
	Highly infectious
	Spread from one person to another
	Since 1970's only 2 known locations of virus for research, the United States and Russia
	It is believed that North Korea, as well as Iraq may have worked with smallpox as a biological weapon
	Requires infecting terrorist members first who then spread disease
	50 to 100 reports of smallpox would likely cause a nationwide panic
	Incubation period of 7 to 17 days
	Symptoms begin with a high fever and back pain, accompanied by a skin rash
	More severe than chickenpox
	Young people, the elderly and women who are pregnant face the most danger
	Best treatment is total isolation from those infected
	Vaccination of those persons in close contact might prevent or minimize the severity of the disease
	Virus spreads through infected garments or bedding too
	At this time there are 12 to 15 million doses of smallpox vaccine stockpiled for emergency use and might be multiplied if able to be diluted
	The vaccine gives wonderful protection, and functions to halt the spread of the disease
	Vaccination programs ceased in 1972. Vaccinations effective no longer than 10 years.
	Even if vaccine can be diluted, the supply would not be enough to protect the entire United States population
	Medical Treatment: Vaccination after 2 to 3 days of exposure provides excellent protection and may prevent death which occurs for 30% of those infected within 4 to 5 days of being exposed
	Physicians need to refer to medical textbooks prior to the 1970's to become educated about the disease. Training programs being conducted in USA.
	Alternative treatment: Homeopathic remedy for smallpox is Variolinum
	Essential Oils: Sandalwood nervous system, stress, respiratory system, skin (medical support only)
	Precaution: insure all bedding and clothes of those infected and surfaces are highly disinfected with hypochlorite and quaternary ammonia
	Academy Psychic*Surveillance™
	~ USA Risk Level: Medium-High Confidence Level: 78%
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PLAGUE, Contagious Disease
	Procedures for spraying plague bacteria into the air were manufactured during the Cold War by the United States and Russia.
	Could easily spray plaque bacteria with a crop dusting airplane
	Outbreak subsequent to a biological attack creates a dangerous threat
	Treatment needs to be started within one day of symptoms beginning
	Medical Treatment: Those exposed should begin antibiotic prophylaxis
	Alternative treatment: Homeopathic treatment for plague is Pestinum
	Essential Oils: Frankincense supports respiratory system (medical support only)
	Precaution: None known
	Academy Psychic*Surveillance™
	~ USA Risk Level: Low Confidence Level: 70%