1. Biological Agents of Warfare and Terrorism
Lecture Week 12
Medical Microbiology SBM 2044

2. Deliberately Emerging Infections
These microbes have been developed by man for nefarious use
‘Deliberate’ refers to :
naturally occurring microbial agents such as anthrax
bioengineered microorganisms such as those created by the insertion of genetic virulence factors that produce or exacerbate disease

3. Biological weapons
Bioterrorism = the malevolent use of bacteria, viruses or toxins against humans, animals or plants in an attempt to cause harm and to create fear
Biological weapons are inexpensive
Nuclear and chemical weapons are times more costly to develop
Produce fear and panic  overwhelm health care resources and destabilise government
Attention and understanding (of treatment) on bioterrorism is important to avoid this imminent threat to national security

4. History Black Death of the 14th century
When the Tartars catapulted plague victims over the unassailable city walls in Kaffa
Killed 50 million of people, that is almost half of the Europe at that time
1763, British troops in America used smallpox-infected blankets against the American Indians
1984, an attempt to affect election in a small Oregon town, the Rajneeshees cult poisoned 10 restaurant salad bars with Salmonella typhimurium and sickened more than 700 people

5.
Read the article:
Wheelis M. Biological warfare at the 1346 siege of Caffa. Emerg Infect Dis [serial online] 2002 Sep. Available from: URL:
Tentative chronology of the initial spread of plague in the mid-14th century

6. Plague
In the Islamic world, the Black Death had a particularly devastating effect militarily and economically. The rapid spread of the Plague through armies affected the outcome of several minor wars throughout the Islamic world. Even the strong Mamluk warriors in Egypt was sufficiently devastated by the Plague that the decline in its military capabilities was a significant factor in its demise and eventual defeat to the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century.
Also, the Muslim historian Ibn Khaldun, lost his parents to the Black Death.

7. The plague was accompanied by chaos and panic
The plague was accompanied by chaos and panic. People could not understand for what they were being punished.

8. Plague
Also known as the Black Death, began in 1346 and wiped out ½ of Europe
Pandemics of plague have ceased with the advent of antibiotics and improved rodent control
But the outbreaks still occur
Yersinia pestis as a biological weapon:
is relatively stable in the environment
organisms are enough to cause infection

9. Zoonotic infection of rodents
Flea drinks rat blood that carries the bacteria
Fleas bite humans
Bacteria migrate to lymph nodes
Dissemination to bloodstream or other organs

10. Anthrax
Caused by ________ that forms stable endospores when nutrients are limited
The spores is the infectious particle
naturally stable, resistant to destruction (heat, dessication)
the “weaponization” of anthrax spores by drying and milling generates a unit spores size
Symptoms:
Illness begins 1 to 6 days after exposure
Flulike: fever, myalgia, malaise
Haemorrhagic mediastinitis (apparent on radiograph)
Shortness of breath, strident cough, chills
Death as the bacilli spread throughout the body in high numbers

11. Treatment for anthrax
Antibiotics, to be administered prophylactically after spore exposure
Bacillus anthracis is susceptible to fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, most other antibiotics
Anthrax vaccine for military personnel, researchers

12. Smallpox
1977 in Somalia, the last naturally occurring case of smallpox
1980 – WHO certified the world free of smallpox
Infection could spread rapidly from person-to-person, by aerosol release
Prevention: vaccination with live vaccinia virus

13. Infectious period starts at the onset of fever
Within 2-4 days of fever onset, patient will develop a maculopapular rash on the mucosa of the mouth, pharynx and arms.
Then spreads to the trunk and legs
Pocks, or sores, mark the faces and limbs of small-pox patients. These sores give the disease its name. Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Figure shows pocks or sores which marked faces and limbs of smallpox patients.

14. Conclusion
Terrorists might favour biological weapons than nuclear or chemical ones, for mass destruction because;
bioweapons are easy to obtain
bioweapons are cheap to produce in large quantities
bioweapons are highly effective in creating human morbidity and panic