What is it?
A disease caused by spore-forming bacteria, Bacillus anthracis,
which thrives in the soil; usually affects cattle and sheep.
Can be dispersed.
By aircraft, missiles, rockets, artillary or aerial bombs or
sprayers; through mail, in drinking water and through mail, in
drinking water and through heating or air-conditioning system.
Lethal dose.
One billionth of a gram.
Diagnosis.
Blood, skin lesions and respiratory secretions are examined to
detect bacteria; alternatively antibodies in the blood are
measured.
Treatment.
Antibiotics, including penicillin,
which can cut death rate by 19%.
Prevention.
Vaccine 92.5% effective.
Mode of infection.
Inhalation, eating infected meat which
is undercooked, skin contact.
How it works?
The spore produces a fatal toxin. The
incubation period for inhalational anthrax is 1-6 days. Degrades
rapidly in sunlight; but in optmum environmental conditions, can
survive for years.
Symptoms.
If inhaled, results in flue-like
symptoms, high fever, fatigue and cough.
If ingested, results in acute inflammation of intestinal tract,
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain.
Skin contact leads in itchy blisters which turn into painless
ulcers with a characteristic black centre.
Shock and death can occur within 24-36 hours of the onset of
severe symptoms.
A form of bacteria which survives only in the absence of oxygen.
How it works?
Once inhaled, symptoms (dizziness, dry throat,
blurred vision) may not appear for 24 to 72 hours. Botulinum
neurotoxins block biochemical action in the nerves that activate
muscles needed for respiration; death occurs with the relatively
slow onset (hours to days) of respiratory failure.
Lethal dose.
One billionth of a gram.
Treatment.
Anti-toxins.
Prevention.
Gas mask, protective clothing.
What is it?
Highly toxic gas which attacks the central
nervous system.
How it works.
Generally absorbed through the respiratory
tract; also absorbed through the skin at higher temperatures.
Toxic effects can occur within minutes depending on concentration
levels.
Lethal dose.
100 mg.
Symptoms.
Low doses cause severe headaches, increased
salivation and constrict air tracts to the lungs; higher doses
lead to coughing, increased perspiration, nausea, vomiting
diarrhoea and breathing problems; death generally follows from
soffocation.
What is it?
If pure it is a colourless, odourless liquid;
assumes a brown colour and smells like garlic when mixed with
other chemicals.
How it works?
The vapour when inhaled cause painful blisters
all over the body.
Symptoms.
Itchy skin, watery eyes and burning sensation
in lungs. Long-term effects include chronic lung impairment,
chest pain and cancer of the skin and respiratory tract including
mouth and throat; is known to cause leukemia and birth defects.
Prevention.
Gas mask.
What is it?
Colourless and odourless liquid that turns
into a gas on contact with oxygen; considered one of the most
lethal chemical weapons.
How it spreads?
Contamination primarily through skin, but also
fatal when inhaled; spreads through air and water; difficult to
detect.
How it works?
Blocks the transmission of impulses along the
central nervous system, causing convulsions, respiratory
paralysis, and death.
Lethal dose.
10 mg.
Symptoms.
Increased salivation, coughing, runny nose,
headache and nausea.
Prevention.
Gas mask, protective dlothing.
Courtesy: - The Week (October - 28, 2001) - India, Asia.