Table of Contents
Which country started biological warfare?
The German
The German army was the first to use weapons of mass destruction, both biological and chemical, during the First World War, although their attacks with biological weapons were on a rather small scale and were not particularly successful: covert operations using both anthrax and glanders (Table 2) attempted to infect …
What is the history of bioterrorism?
Bioterrorism literally means using microorganisms or infected samples to cause terror and panic in populations. Bioterrorism had already started 14 centuries before Christ, when the Hittites sent infected rams to their enemies.
What are the agents of biological warfare?
Biological Warfare agents are microorganisms like virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa or toxins produced by them, that give rise to diseases in man, animals or plants, when deliberately dispersed in an area [Table 1].
Is virus a biological agent?
Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, other microorganisms and their associated toxins. They have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild, allergic reactions to serious medical conditions—even death.
What are the four types of biological weapons?
Biological weapons are a subset of a larger class of weapons referred to as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which also includes chemical, nuclear, and radiological weapons….Category A agents include the following:
- anthrax.
- botulism.
- plague.
- tularemia.
- smallpox.
- viral hemorrhagic fevers.
What is the history of biological warfare?
In the ancient history, the well-known attempt of use of biological warfare agent was during the 14thcentury medieval siege of Kaffa, Feodosiya, Ukraine.[2] In this incident, the Tartars (Mongols) who attacked Kaffa, tossed dead and dying plague victims into the city in an attempt to spread the disease.
Are biological warfare agents used in bioterrorism?
The alleged used of biological agents is a serious problem and the risk of using these agents in a bioterrorist attack is increasing. In the ancient history, the well-known attempt of use of biological warfare agent was during the 14thcentury medieval siege of Kaffa, Feodosiya, Ukraine.[2]
How were biological agents used before the 20th century?
Before the 20th century, the use of biological agents took three major forms: In the 20th century, sophisticated bacteriological and virological techniques allowed the production of significant stockpiles of weaponized bio-agents : Bacterial agents: Anthrax, Brucella, Tularemia, etc.
What if fleas were used as a biological warfare agent?
If the organisms were used as a biological warfare agent, it most likely would be spread through the air and inhaled by victims. The result would be primary pneumonic plague (epidemic pneumonia ). If fleas were used as carriers of disease, bubonic or septicemic ( blood infection) plague would result.