...Bioterrorism Over the past decades, America and many other countries around the world have been and continue to be the subjects of various incidents and threats of terrorism; therefore one cannot ignore bioterrorism. A topic that is becoming more and more of a widespread concern as it captions the attention of many legislations and governments. Bioterrorism is a terrorist act that is characterized by the release or use of biological agents with the intent of causing illnesses or death to people, plants and animals. Such agents can be commonly found in nature; however, when used as bioterrorism agents, they are genetically altered making them resistant to current medicines and more likely to spread into environments such as air, water and even...
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...Overview of Bioterrorism This course has been awarded two (2.0) contact hours. This course expires on November 12, 2014. Copyright © 2008 by RN.com. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction and distribution of these materials are prohibited without the express written authorization of RN.com. First Published: Updated: November 12, 2008 Nov 12, 2011 IMPORTANT INFORMATION RN.com strives to keeps its content fair and unbiased. The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose. The planners of the educational activity have no conflicts of interest to disclose. (Conflict of Interest Definition: Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect Education content about products or services of a commercial interest with which he/she has a financial relationship.) There is no commercial support being used for this course. Participants are advised that the accredited status of RN.com does not imply endorsement by the provider or ANCC of any products/therapeutics mentioned in this course. The information in the course is for educational purposes only. There is no “off label” usage of drugs or products discussed in this course. Acknowledgements RN.com acknowledges the valuable contributions of… Material protected by Copyright …The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (www.cdc.gov), the key government agency responsible for disseminating knowledge about various biological agents. …U.S. Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases...
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...Bioterrorism in the United States of America Bioterrorism in the United States of America Since the events of September 11, 2001, the United States has made great strides in emergency response preparedness for terrorist attacks, however, one area that is still lacking is preparedness for a widespread biological terrorist attack. The threat of a bioterrorist attack in the United States is a very real and potentially convenient method of attack for numerous terrorist organizations. An attack of this type could go unnoticed in many public areas. Major transportation hubs throughout the United States are major targets for such an attack. An act of bioterrorism is a major threat to the United States that could occur unnoticed and must be dealt with immediately by providing a nationwide vaccination against all agents, better education programs for the general public, and most importantly, the prevention of such an act from happening. In October, 2001, the first confirmed case of inhalation anthrax was confirmed in Florida, which brought the word bioterrorism to mainstream America (Jernigan, 2001, p. 934). Throughout the fall of that year many people’s fears were stoked by this anthrax scare following shortly after the events of September 11, 2001. This anthrax scare highlighted that while the hospital system throughout the United States may not be completely prepared for a widespread bioterrorism attack, these hospitals could handle a small number of cases and brought bioterrorism...
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...crisis in 2001, bioterrorism is a real threat. * Tom Davis Delete text and place photo here. Bioterrorism bY SIMI GEORGE faq’s What To Do if You Suspect a Bioterrorist Disease? IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY: * Hospital Infection Control Isolation: Smallpox, plague, hemorrhagic fevers, * Laboratory Hospital Administration * Local Public Health Department What We Need To Prepare for Bioterrorism? * More trained epidemiologists to speed detection * Increased laboratory capacity * Request security drills in schools and other public departments. For more information about bioterrorism and its effects, please contact: Simi George, R.N. (469)347-4236 Simicg2011@yahoo.com Enter Contact Information Here | 1127 Lombard Blvd. San Francisco, CA 59802 | phone 555.555.5555 | fax 555.555.5555 In this educational session you will learn: * Bioterrorism and its effects * The causes of Bioterrorism * The procedures during a bioterrorist attack * The right way to react during a bioterrorist attack * The procedures to take care of a person who is ill from the attack. Bioterrorism is defined as “the use of microorganisms or toxins derived from living organisms to cause death or disease in humans, animals, or plants in civilian settings” (Huxsoll et al., 1987). Although the possible motivations behind an attack of this kind are numerous, the most important aspect of bioterrorism is to be able to...
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...When inhaled by humans, these particles cause respiratory failure and death within a week. Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare, the Department of Defense (DOD), in 1998, announced it would begin a systematic vaccination of all U.S. military personnel. (DOD, 1998) Anthrax infection occurs in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. What are the basic functions of the federal, state, and local level during this bioterrorism event? Preparing for and or recovering from a bioterrorism event, it is the federal government's responsibilities to helping to ensure the preparedness of emergency response providers for terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, Working with other federal and nonfederal agencies to build a comprehensive national incident management system, and developing comprehensive programs for developing interoperative communications technology and ensuring that emergency response providers acquire such technology. ( CIDRAP) In a bioterrorism event, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has special responsibilities, including detecting the disease, investigating the outbreak, and providing stockpiled drugs and emergency supplies in the large amounts needed. What public health resources are available to address this bioterrorism threat at the federal, state, and/or local level? Since the 1950s, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grew substantially...
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...Bioterrorism Countermeasures: Utilizing Intelligence Agencies over Biological Research ABSTRACT: The 21st century has seen a revolutionary biotechnology force, one that has led to developments in healthcare and other industries around the United States. Coupled with the growing development of biotechnology, however, is a force hoping to harness its power to create biological weapons. Presently, there are several nations pursuing biological weapons programs, making it easier for terrorist groups to gain access and attain advanced weaponry. Recently, terrorists have demonstrated their ability to execute acts of bio-terror without any moral repugnance or regret. Though these weapons have been taboo in past centuries, known for their sneakiness and deception, the use of biological weapons and the incidence of biological attack in the present century has –relatively speaking– dramatically increased. It is for this reason that congress and the federal government must intervene to prevent future bio-attack. The best method to stall further biological development within terrorist groups is by infiltration and detection via the Intelligence Community (IC). Unfortunately, we have diverted all our resources towards bio-terrorism research, without realizing that it is the further development and accessibility of biological weapons information that has promoted the spread of deadly knowledge within the terrorist community. Instead of trying to develop research plans for specific pathogenic...
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...Research altering the structure of infective viruses poses a threat to man and should be banned. This threat is defined, as “Dual use”. Although, altering the structure of viruses does have beneficial purposes it is ultimately not worth the risk and outweighed by its dangers. Dual Use is beneficial in advancing science or improving public health but is often misused for malevolent ends such as bioterrorism. Bioterrorism is not a new threat, Pathogens and micro organisms have been used as weapons for hundreds of years, dating back to the fourteenth century when Tartars threw the corpses of plague victims over the city walls of Kaffa before its siege and in the eighteenth century when British soldiers distributed blankets used by smallpox victims to Native Americans with the objective of contaminating them (SERB). This history of vile behavior in regards to bioweapons has not seemed to stop as technology advanced, some would say it has even gotten worse. When discussing the issue of bioterrorism one must keep in mind that it doesn’t mean all dual use scientists are bioterrorist, legitimate scientists typically conduct a research that is in the dual use field for positive purposes. “Just because a research project may have dual use concerns, that doesn’t mean that it will be misused as a bioweapon or that the researchers conducting the research are bioweaponeers” (SERB). However as research continues and advances on dual use the greater we risk-assisting bioterrorist succeed...
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...Biological Warfare: Effects on USA Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine the response of the American public to the growing threat of biological warfare which has been amplified by the war on terrorism. The study focuses on various news items, government researches, public responses and independent researches to gauge the effects of the perceived biological threat. The research shows clear linkages between rising terrorism in the world and an increase in public knowledge of the sort of threats these terrorist organizations pose, especially the risk of a biological attack which could lead to a catastrophe. The research also sheds light on the rising voices in the media and public which demand concrete strategies to prepare for any and all eventualities. We also see how these demands shape public policy and scientific research. Lastly, we conclude that there is a definitive causal link between people’s perception of the biological terror threat and their public and private behavior. Introduction The primary research question we have is that in what ways has the use or threat of biological weapons of mass destruction affected the lives of US citizens in recent history? America has been on the receiving end of terror attacks and the year 2001 is still fresh in everyone’s minds. The terror attacks on the world trade center were soon followed by the anthrax attacks which were perpetrated by a lone, disturbed scientist. The fact that a single man, without any proper...
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...Anthrax: Bacillus Anthracis Outline I. Introduction II. Definitions and Symptoms A. Bacillus anthracis B. Zoonosis C. Transmission: spores 1. Three types of entry 2. Three main types of anthrax D. Classified as a biological weapon 1. Biosafety level three 2. Anthrax not contagious between humans E. Cutaneous anthrax Symptoms F. Inhalation anthrax. G. Gastrointestinal anthrax. II. Origins of the Disease A. Ancient Mesopotamia B. Mention in The Iliad III. Ancient Manifestations, Views, and Causes IV. Ancient Treatments of Disease Symptoms A. Figs B. Anthrax control 1. Burning in Ancient Athens 2. Burning in 1600s 3. Burning Laws in Late 1600s V. Social Effects on Victims and Socioeconomic Impact on Society A. 2001 U.S. Postal Service anthrax incident B. Projected economic impact of a bioterrorist attack VI. Epidemic Outbreaks A. 1500 B.C. -- Fifth Egyptian plague B. 1600s -- "Black Bane" C. 1770 -- Haiti D. 1978-80 Human anthrax epidemic in Zimbabwe VII. Modern Causes of the Disease VIII. Current Treatments A. Historical Development of Modern Treatment Methods 1. 1877 Robert Koch 2. 1881 Louis Pasteur 3. 1937 Max Sterne 4. 1944 First use of penicillin to treat anthrax 5. 1979 Modern vaccine developed B. Treatment of Today IX. Anthrax as a Biomedical Weapon A. Modern threat B. 1916-1918 Mesopotamia...
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...seven days of receiving thevis it may stop the disease but at the every least the person infected will suffer less than a person who did not receive the vaccination. Once a rash appears, there is nothing the vaccine can do to help.(https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/transmission/index.html). It is stored by being frozen and kept in a secure place. The only two places known to have smallpox are in laboratories in the United States and Russia. If any of these governments were to use it for biological warfare or if an outside source had it and used it then the effects would be catastrophic. Most people born after 1972 have not received the smallpox vaccine and to add onto this, the smallpox vaccine is not lifelong (https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/bioterrorism/public/threat.html).This would make it very easy to spread, especially when much of the population today is condensed into cities. Because the incubation period is 7-19 days, it would be simple to spread the disease around before people started experiencing symptoms. Once the people infected started experiencing symptoms, those who are able to afford it, would go to the hospital or a doctor. Others would most likely right it off as something else not worthy going to the hospital for. This would give the disease time do develop into its most contagious stage where the people around the invalid would become sick with the disease. If the U.S or Russia were to infect another country with this disease, the would have virtually unlimited resources...
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...Bioterrorism After events such as 9/11, terrorism still instills fear into America's population. Why? Simply because it is the one danger the American people cannot control. Biological terrorism is not always feared or worried about, but it is a genuine possibility and a lethal surprise that causes devastation. If not prepared, these deadly pathogens could easily kill a large number of people. With tensions on the rise, what will the government or citizens do to defend themselves? If something happens, how will Americans have the capabilities to care for themselves and families? Bioterrorism is a serious threat that Americans must eradicate to gain biosecurity and to ensure the safety America’s citizens. Biological terrorism, or bioterrorism,...
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...Bioterrorism is the use of harmful substances to seriously hurt or kill another person. Schmalleger (2013) accurately defines bioterrorism as the “intention or threaten use of viruses, bacteria, fungi, or toxins from living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals, or plants” (p. 591). This form destruction can easily spread to mass quantities of people in a timely fashion making it a great concern among our law enforcement and other agencies. There are many forms of bioterrorism that can be used in an attack. These types of attacks are easy to deploy because they can be transmitted in the air, are easy to produce, and they have a high mortality rate (CDC, 2007). America has already seen the small piece of havoc that bioterrorism can produce on a nation. This happened when the American people came under attack with the anthrax virus. This virus was sent through the mail in packages and letters. The white powdery substance was placed in mail letters and packages so that when they were opened it would be inhaled or touched resulting in horrific symptoms and even death for some people. This type of bioterrorism is not easily noticed if and when an attack occurs. The only thing law enforcement and other personnel can do to prepare is to educate themselves on the signs and symptoms that occur when people are...
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...Administrative Ethics paper Sherry Grant HCS 335 May 21, 2012 Holly Martinez De Andino Presidential Commission to Decide: Is Testing Anthrax Vaccine on Children Ethical? On May 10, 2012 the Presidential Commission of the Study of Bioethical Issues started their deliberations regarding a very important matter: Testing vaccinations and treatments on children. The ethical question is whether or not to begin pediatric studies to determine the effectiveness of Anthrax vaccines and other treatments to be used in the event of a bio terror attack. Upon reading an article in the Washington Post the debate was made clear to me as a reader and me as a parent. The largest debated issue related to the testing of vaccines on children is the overall safety of the children. It has been set forth by the government that studies only be considered in cases where the child will directly benefit from studies or if there are not enough results from adult testing and only if the affects are minimal for the pediatric participant (Associated Press, 2012). There are a great many tools to fight against some of the threats that worry defense experts but none of these outline the proper use on a child. Will these treatments in fact work for children as efficiently as they will work in adults? The National Bio defense Safety Board (which offers advice to the government) suggests that testing of the anthrax vaccine be done only if ethical experts deemed the testing to be appropriate. While this...
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...Adjusting to Terrorism University of Phoenix CJA/453 Criminal Justice Administration In today’s society there are many things this nation is up against and one of the main things is the war on terrorism. Terrorism is a high priority in the US for this is why we have so many agencies to track and prevent an attack. Unfortunately not all acts of terrorism is known, however what this paper will do is look at bioterrorism and examine what can make it better or worst in the efforts to combat it. Many believe that society may not be ready for a bioterrorism attack for this is why we have make some changes therefore making society feel like their nation is prepared in the event of a bioterrorist attack. One of the targets that would be on the front line in the event of an attack are the medical and health departments mainly emergency rooms, this is because with bioterrorism it is a chemical attack were antibiotics and medical attention would be needed immediately. This is what is purposed; first set a facility in place along with fully equipped doctors and medical emergency staff to handle any type of case in the event of a sudden attack. There also would be sets of individuals who will do research, put in time and effort to come up with several kinds of antibiotic in the event of an incident that there is no cure for. What this does is help supply a treatment until our teams of researchers can come...
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...BIOTERRORISM Name: 1. Introduction Historically, infectious disease outbreaks brought about by microbial species against human beings have caused far more mortality rates than war itself. Numerous cases of disease outbreaks in the past have been a major concern to health authorities, although such concerns have been partially addressed in the recent past. Examples of disease outbreaks in the past include: the infamous Bubonic Plague of the 14th century in Europe that led to the death of approximately a quarter of the continent’s population (approximately 25 million people); the influenza pandemic of 1918 to 1919 that led to the death of 21 million people; and the death of 95% of Pre-Columbian Native American people by measles, plague, small pox, influenza, and typhoid (Magner, 2009). Although there has been some response to such epidemics in the recent past, naturally occurring infections still remain the Achilles’ heel of today’s health systems. 2. Terrorism Versus Bioterrorism Despite the dark past in healthcare systems, current issues of the use of biological agents as means of mass destruction is alarming. Most of the countries across the globe are now faced with the daunting task of terrorism control, since this is one area where biological agents find a lot of use. According to Forst, terrorism may be defined as a “premeditated and unlawful use of violence [on] non-combatant populations having symbolic significance….” (Forst, 2009). Forst mentions that...
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