Bioterrorism
Bioterrorism refers to the use of biological agents with the intent to cause panic, illness, or death. There are biological agents in nature, but they can be changed artificially in order to make them more effective. There are many methods of spreading biological agents. Biodefense is defense against bioterrorism, often in the form of a vaccine or medicine.
There are three categories of biological agents. The first is category A, the highest priority agents. Biological agents in category A pose a high risk to national security. These include anthrax and smallpox. The second, category B, includes biological agents such as brucellosis and melioidosis. These are a risk to national security. Category C, the third, includes emerging diseases that could be a risk in the future, such as hantavirus.
Bioterrorism Media
Firefighters triage victims of a simulated bioterrorism attack at the Armed Forces Reserve Center during the Portland Area Capabilities Exercise (PACE) Setter at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, May 22, 2013. The purpose of the PACE Setter exercise is to test regional and interagency response to public health incidents affecting multiple agencies. (Photo by Staff Sgt. April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
United States airman wearing an M-17 nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare mask and hood
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Related pages
References
- "Emergency Preparedness and Response." Archived 2006-11-29 at the Wayback Machine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. .
- MedlinePlus: Trusted Health Information for You. MedlinePlus: Trusted Health Information for You, n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. .