Surviving Biological Warfare

Although globally outlawed, biological warfare is still a threat to us. Terrorist organizations and rogue countries may not adhere to the international consensus banning biological weapons.

What is a bioweapon?
Essentially it is a weapon utilizing a virus, bacteria, or toxin to infect people or animals. It may cause death or just be an attempt to weaken the enemy and cause sickness.

Recognizing the signs of bioterrorism or biological warfare and knowing what to do can make the difference in survival.

Unfortunately, the symptoms are often common to a seasonal flu or may be dormant for several days. There are many different bioagents that can be employed, so recognizing the poison requires an expert.

To complicate the issue, there are different forms of biological attack that we may face. The air we breathe may be contaminated. Or perhaps the terrorists will choose to use our food or water supply. We have also witnessed the postal system being used to disperse poisons through the mail.

So how do we recognize biological warfare?
Some attacks can be seen, but quite likely no one will notice unless it's a bomb or missile. Read below to familiarize yourself with possible forms of attack and the symptoms. If you see anything suspicious watch for symptoms. If many people exhibit the same symptoms it may very well be the result of bioterrorism.

What are the most feared biological weapons?

Anthrax
This is a bacteria that is toxic and can be fatal. It cannot spread from person-to-person, but it can move from an animal to a human. Therefore, you will hear about cases in the agricultural sector where people contract it from handling infected animals. When this happens the victim will develop an inch-wide bump on his skin with a black center; medical treatment should cure the problem.

If anthrax is consumed, the victim will suffer gastrointestinal type sickness: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach. He may also suffer from fever and vomitting blood.

If anthrax is breathed in, the victim will suffer cold-like symptoms: congestion, cough, headache, and fever.

However, in a few days he may have great difficulty in breathing and develop pneumonia.

Anthrax can be prevented in most cases with vaccination. But unless you're in the military or work with animals you probably will not have the shot treatment. After infection, you will probably be treated with penicillin or some other form of antibiotic.

Botulism
Botulism is a toxin that is produced by bacteria. Botulism causes paralysis and can be very deadly if untreated.

Generally we will hear about cases involving infants who ate some type of sweetener, or adults who ate canned food. This is the reason that we never give honey to infants or purchase food in cans that have bubbled out.

But when it comes to biological warfare or terrorism, victims will breathe it in. It is not generally contagious but caution should still be exercised.

The victim will likely exhibit symptoms within 6 to 36 hours. Problems speaking and seeing will be the first signs. Eventually paralysis will set in, moving from head to foot.

If medical treatment is administered early, it is unlikely that the victim will die. Antitoxins and breathing apparatus will likely be employed.

Ebola
Ebola is a virus that has recently killed over 100 people in the Congo and several others in Uganda. It is contagious and will kill within 1 to 2 weeks.

Early symptoms include fever, upset stomach, nausea, headache, and dizziness. The virus will then cause organ damage and possibly internal bleeding. Later symptoms include diarrhea, low blood pressure, and vomiting blood.

If ebola is used in biological warfare the results may be horrific. There is currently no cure, although animal testing has been positive. Medical attention may help the victim fight the virus and survive.

Smallpox
Smallpox is a virus that has been defeated through vaccination. However, if a new strain were to be developed it could have devastating effects.

Smallpox is highly contagious, causing rapid spreading. A big part of the problem is that telltale symptoms usually show between 12 and 15 days of contraction, but the virus kills many victims within 2 or 3 weeks.

Early symptoms are similar to a cold with stomach pain and headaches. The later, more obvious, symptoms are visible. The skin will develop pimples all over including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

These pimples will develop into pustules. If the victim survives the pustules will dry up and fall off leaving pockmarks.

There was an old "Diagnosis Murder" episode that revolved around a smallpox strain developed in a lab. A couple victims died of it very quickly before Dr. Sloan saved the day. This story paints a good picture of the destructive force of smallpox and the real devastation that could come from a biological terrorist attack.

How will we be attacked?

Airborne
In biological warfare, terrorists may utilize multiple methods for contaminating our air with a virus, bacteria, or toxin. This form is the least controllable and therefore the scariest way to attack.

Bombs or missiles can be filled with biological agents and disseminate their horrors upon explosion. Aerosol cans can be rigged to go off in subways and other confined areas. Cars and airplanes can be used to spray vast areas with poison. These are some of the more well-known methods.

Food and water
Our food and water supplies can also be tampered with. Using infected animals and their waste, terrorists could adulterate what we eat and spread disease in this manner. These methods tend to be less effective. They are also more concentrated geographically reducing impact.

What can we do?

Prevention
There are really only two lines of defense: vaccination and good health. Vaccines may protect us against some biological warfare. Good health, meaning a strong immune system, will help us survive if we become victims.

To a degree vigilance is a third line of defense. Not only being aware of your environment and suspicious activity, but also keeping up on the current news. If Homeland Security puts us on high alert, then avoid public transportation and other likely targets. Unfortunately, we never know when or where we will be attacked, and a paranoid fear would be more damaging than helpful.

Intervention
If you become sick try to assess why you are sick. Are others around you sick? How widespread is this illness and is it on the news? If you think you may have been a victim of biological warfare call your doctor, the hospital, or 911. It is better to be cautious than too late.

If you're not sick, but there's an outbreak, stay at home. Use your survival supplies and well-stocked pantry to get you by. If you have to go out, minimize public contact and wash your hands and face often. You may need to wear a mask if your area is a hot zone. Remove clothing as soon as you get home; run the laundry and get a shower.

Bioterrorism, although unlikely, does happen now and then. It can be virulent and deadly. So if you think you're a victim get help immediately.

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