BioTerrorism Analysis: Weaponsized Infectious Disease and Emerging Disease

Various | 3-17-03 | Bones McCoy

[maestro]

Good Morning.

[templar]

Both are especially interested in teaching low-income migrant farmworkers what to watch for and how to report it.

I'm very glad to hear this. I hope this catches on nationwide.

IMO, a nation which doesn't give it's agriculture the highest degree of protection (economic as well as security) is in serious danger.

[tiki]

Once again, some of these diseases already exist, we fight them constantly they are a big part of the reason most farmers are not financially solvent. When it comes to diseases which affect humans, crops are tested and fields are condemned and the farmer has to take appropiate action at a loss to himself. We really do have mechanisms in place to contain this stuff. It costs money but it would cost more not to do it.

I would be much more concerned about imports. We already know that they use pesticides and farming practices illegal in the US. There could even be genetically altered product that wouldn't be discovered for years, say something that makes the natural arsenic in potatoes more potent but has to build up for a while before you realize you are ill. It would depend on how many potatoes you ate as to how soon it showed and how ill you got and what are the chances of a doctor relating your illness to potatoes?

[Fyscat]

bump for later viewing

[MudPuppy]

BUMP and mark

[IncPen]

Belated ping- I missed this last night.

Chime in...

[birdwoman]

Just a little 'comfort reading' for bedtime, huh? ;)

Thanks for the info and the thread, folks... Looking forward to more good info!

[exhaustedmomma]

Excellent thread!
If social order is to be maintained, in the event of any type of domestic terrorism, it must be the responsibility of each individual within the community at large. We can not be so foolish as to assume "others" will take care of "whatever." We must each learn, for example, what various symptoms and incubation periods are for numerous variants... whether disease agents or foodborn illness, etc. We must individually put the "fire" under local and state agencies and directors. We must assuredly be proactive in this endeavor. IMO, you hit the nail on the head when you said: "Perhaps this is the starting point of analysis for civilian medical response capabilities.

The following is a link to what I consider pertinent steps in timely recovery--- Epidemiology of Bioterrorism
SNIPS from the article I found particularly noteworthy:
"However, the military is not the only population at risk for biological attack.
To effectively counter the potentially devastating effects of an attack, we need to understand the basic epidemiologic principles of biological agents used as weapons."
Differential Diagnosis
Any small or large outbreak of disease should be evaluated as a potential bioterrorist attack.
Epidemiologic Approach
The basic epidemiologic approach in the evaluation of a potential bioterrorist or biowarfare attack is not different from any standard epidemiologic investigation.
Epidemic Curve
Epidemiologic Clues
Recommendations for Preparedness
**Training should include basic epidemiologic principles as well as clinical information on diagnosing and treating agents that pose the highest threat.

I know that the Civilian Population Center where I live is poorly prepared. Mainly because of having "their heads in a hole" attitude. I honestly think it will require inclusion of a civil defense network to avoid total mayhem. Which, BTW, is how it really ought to occur.

[swaimh]

several students at my high school, the north carolina school of science and mathematics, have worried about potential biochemical attacks on duke university, less than 2 miles away. ours is a residential school, and our administration has no protocols for dealing with something of this nature. our little group is working, researching known chemical and biological agents which could be used against us in the event of an attack. we also know that areas where many people are are often targets--downtown durham would probably be no exception.

sorry to rant, but i guess i'm just trying to support your arguement that, in the end, for anything to get done, it takes individual initiative.

[Interesting Times]

If you want to learn more, I'd recommend one of the good books on bioweapons. I hear Ken Alibek's Demon in the Freezer is a good place to start.

The Demon in the Freezer is by Richard Preston, author of The Hot Zone

A chunk of "Demon" was excerpted in the New Yorker. It is an unsettling read.

You may also be thinking of Biohazard by Ken Alibek, which details his bioweapons research and production in the old Soviet Union. At one point, Biopreparat was manufacturing some ten tons of weaponized smallpox per year.

We live in interesting times.

Yes, I tend to agree.

[Interesting Times]

Ping to #90.

[Interesting Times]

Uh, make that #91.

[SouthParkRepublican]

Bump for battling bugs.

[Wordsmith]

Oops, thanks! I've read the Demon in the Freezer excerpts online, don't know why I got it stuck in my mind that that was Alibek's book.

[Wordsmith]

The only good bug is a dead bug!

[SouthParkRepublican]

Unless it's one we have planted in Chirac's root canal.

[BriarBey]

I have a feeling when we find out all that the French are trying to hide we will want to shock and awe them too!!
Unbelievable!!! I refuse to buy, smell, taste or even look at anything that could remotely be french. No more french fries, no more french bread...uh oh....no more french kissing!!! rofl

[maestro]

Sorry,....I missed the program.

Thanks for the 'ping'.

It had to be scary.

Did they say anything about 'DNA'(genetic-splicing) experiments which mixed various animal-plant diseases?

[bonesmccoy]

Did they say anything about 'DNA'(genetic-splicing) experiments which mixed various animal-plant diseases?

No. They focused on anthrax and plague.

Basically, if Saddam has seeded cells in southern California with this stuff, we're screwed!