U.S. Department of State - FACT SHEET -- CHEMICAL - BIOLOGICAL WARFARE

U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. ^ | Updated VERY RECENTLY WITH NO DATE??? | U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.

[TheOtherOne]

Chemical - Biological Warfare Fact Sheet

U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C.

FACT SHEET
CHEMICAL - BIOLOGICAL WARFARE

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The Department of State has no information to indicate that there is a likelihood of use of chemical or biological agent release in the immediate future.  The Department believes the risk of the use of chemical/biological warfare (CBW) is remote, although it cannot be excluded.  There are, of course, no guarantees.  Until a threat becomes known, American citizens must make their own decisions with regard to those precautions they might take to avoid injury.

The Department of Defense has announced its intention to commence the Family and Force Protection Initiative (FFPI) in order to provide enhanced protection to the dependents of U.S. military service members and to civilian Department of Defense (DOD) employees and their families.  On October 29, U.S. Forces Korea commenced the initiative in the Republic of Korea.  Under this program, the Department of Defense provides protective gas masks and hoods to its noncombatant community.  In addition, the U.S. Department of State is providing the same level of protection to the American employees of the U.S. Embassy in Korea and their dependents.  The U.S. Government is not providing such equipment to private American citizens in the Republic of Korea.

These measures are not in response to any increase in the assessment of the threat level in Korea, or elsewhere, nor a result of any recent events.  Rather, they are solely a prudent measure to further enhance the safety of U.S. Government affiliated personnel and their families.  Of course, if the Department becomes aware of any specific and credible threat to the safety and security of American citizens, that information will be provided to the American public at large.

American citizens who wish further information in the unlikely event that CBW is used may obtain additional information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The CDC is the lead government agency on infectious diseases, including Anthrax.  For detailed information on Anthrax and other chemical/biological agents, inquirers are referred to the CDD Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov.  The CDC's international travelers hotline telephone number is 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); FAX: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299).

As always, American citizens should review their own personal security practices and must make their own decisions with regard to those precautions which they might take to avoid injury.  Those who may wish to acquire protective equipment for personal use should contact commercial vendors who may be able to provide such equipment.

The following is some general information on Chemical-Biological Warfare (CBW):

A.  Biological agents can be dispersed by an aerosol spray which must be inhaled.  However, these agents can also be used to contaminate food, water and other products.  Attention to basic food hygiene when traveling abroad is very important.

B.  Some chemical agents may be volatile--evaporating rapidly to form clouds of agent.  Others may be persistent.  These agents may act directly on the skin, lungs, and your membranes or be absorbed through your skin or lungs causing injury.

C.  When properly used, appropriate masks are effective protection to prevent the inhalation of either biological or chemical agents; however this assumes an adequate warning.  Gas masks alone do not protect agents that act through skin absorption.

D.  There is an incubation period after exposure to biological agents.  It is essential that you seek appropriate care for illnesses acquired while traveling abroad to assure prompt diagnosis and treatment.

E.  One of the biological warfare agents is the spore-forming bacterium that causes Anthrax, an acute infectious disease.

• --An Anthrax vaccine that confers protective immunity does exist, but is not readily available to private parties.  (Please see the Department's Fact Sheet on the Anthrax Vaccine.)  Efficacy and safety of use of this vaccine for persons under 18 or over 65 and pregnant women have not been determined.

• --Anthrax is susceptible to treatment if that treatment is initiated promptly after exposure.  The post-exposure treatment consists of certain anti-biotics administered in combination with the vaccine.  For additional information, please consult your health care provider or local health authority.

This replaces the Fact Sheet dated June 1999 to add information about the commencement of the Department of Defense Family Force Protection Initiative.

Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings

[TheOtherOne]

HMMM.

[Lion's Cub]

Actually, I'm heartened to see the Department of State doing something constructive for a change. (It must have pained them immensely.)

This is the equivalent of a non-specific warning to people living overseas to take extra precautions. This is just letting people in Korea know for sure that the US at least suspects that N.Korea has a chemical stockpile that could be used if any "disagreements" get out of hand.

As for the anthrax problem, they are just letting people know that they need to take precautions seriously. After all, the threat of a chemical/biological attack against Americans overseas may even be higher than it is here. And it is definitely more of a threat than it was before Sept. 11.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Bump!

[nunya bidness]

Thanks.

[backhoe]

FYI--

Nuclear, Biological, & Chemical Warfare- Survival Skills, Pt. II

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Good going - thanks for keeping up with these links!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Good going - thanks for keeping up with these links!

[backhoe]

Gladly- the News Jackals of the Press Corps(se) seem to be trying to panic people- and that is not what they need... they need information to make intelligent decisions!