Browse the corpus

Bioterrorism involves the deliberate release of bioweapons to cause death or disease in humans, animals, or plants. Biological weapons may be developed or used as part of a government policy in biological warfare or by terrorist groups or criminals. Biological weapons can initiate large-scale epidemics with an unparalleled lethality, and nation-states and terrorist groups have used dangerous and destructive Biological weapons in the past. This activity reviews the types, evaluation, and treatment of different biological weapons that have been used and has the potential to be used in bioterrorism attacks and discusses the role of the inter-professional team in evaluating and treating catastrophic events associated with bioterrorism. Objectives: Explain the definition of bioterrorism. Review the types of commonly used as well as potential bioweapons. Explain why health professionals need to be up to date in the workup and treatment of biological weapon-based attacks. Describe the types of bioterrorism events and discuss the role of the inter-professional team in evaluating and treating the victims of a potential bioterrorism attack. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Biological weapons are devices or agents used or intended to be used in a deliberate attempt to disseminate disease-producing organisms or toxins using aerosol, food, water, or insect vectors. Their mechanism of action tends to be broadly through infection or intoxication.[1] Bioterrorism involves the deliberate release of bioweapons to cause death or disease in humans, animals, or plants. These biological agents can include bacteria, viruses, toxins, or fungi.[2] Biological weapons may be developed or used as part of a government policy in biological warfare or by terrorist groups or criminals. Biological weapons can initiate large-scale epidemics with an unparalleled lethality, and nation-states and terrorist groups have used dangerous and destructive biological weapons in the past.[1] The potential damage, coupled with the unpredictable nature of these agents, has led numerous countries, including the United States, to increase their efforts to draft policies and guidelines to prepare for such an attack. Keeping in mind the horrific nature of these agents, the Geneva protocol, first signed in 1925, and currently signed by 65 out of 121 countries, prohibits the development, production, and use of biological weapons in war.[3] However, not being country states, biological weapons to wage bioterrorism tend to be a relatively common choice for terrorist organizations. The relative ease with which agents can be deployed, the devastating effects on victims, and their low cost make them more lucrative for these organizations. However, the unpredictable nature of these biological weapons means that they may affect both the intended victims and, inadvertently, affect friendly forces. Despite this drawback, terrorist organizations favor the use of biological weapons.[2]

Keeping in mind the horrific nature of these agents, the Geneva protocol, first signed in 1925, and currently signed by 65 out of 121 countries, prohibits the development, production, and use of biological weapons in war.[3] However, not being country states, biological weapons to wage bioterrorism tend to be a relatively common choice for terrorist organizations. The relative ease with which agents can be deployed, the devastating effects on victims, and their low cost make them more lucrative for these organizations. However, the unpredictable nature of these biological weapons means that they may affect both the intended victims and, inadvertently, affect friendly forces. Despite this drawback, terrorist organizations favor the use of biological weapons.[2] Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the essentials of bioterrorism and biological weapons, as these may be used as part of a terrorist attack in any part of the world. Thus, healthcare professionals need to be trained and prepared in case of a potentially catastrophic event, where quick action and decision-making may potentially save lives. This topic reviews the previous incidents of biological terrorism, types of biological weapons, evaluation of patients exposed to potential biological weapons, and treatment of patients who have been potentially exposed to the various commonly employed biological weapons. This topic also aims to discuss the role of an interprofessional team in evaluating and managing a bioterrorism attack. For this activity, bioterrorism's biological weapons have been broadly classified under 4 major headings, including bacterial agents, viral agents, fungal agents, protozoal agents, and toxins.

The management of a patient who is a victim of an act of bioterrorism is challenging and complex. This requires an interprofessional team consisting of healthcare professionals, including physicians in different specialties, nurses, laboratory technologists, and pharmacists, as well as possibly governmental agencies. Without rapid identification of the causative agent followed by proper management, morbidity and mortality may be high. It may also lead to an outbreak if an agent with human-to-human transmission is used. The internist, infectious diseases physician, or medical toxicologist may rapidly identify the offending pathogen, toxin, or medical toxicant. The patient requires emergency care and possible intensive care, which requires a team effort. Cross-consultation with other medical subspecialties may also be required in cases of systemic disease involvement. Preparedness by healthcare professionals and an interdisciplinary approach to patient management are highly recommended to reduce morbidity and improve outcomes.