Weapons of Terrorism: Chemical and Biological Agents

1. Weapons of Terrorism: Chemical and Biological Agents Chapter 10, 11

2. Biological terrorism • Intentional use of microorganisms or their toxins to produce illness, death and terror in humans, animals or plants • Biological agents • Bacteria • Viruses • Toxins

3. Is this something new? • 14th Century – Caffa • City on Crimean Peninsula • Strategic to Silk trade routes between China and Europe • Rival trade groups captured city • Multiple unsuccessful attempts to retake city • Hurled plague infested corpses over walls of city to infest it

4. Is this something new? • 18th Century French and Indian War • British Officers gave blankets from smallpox victims to Indians aligned with French • Caused an epidemic in tribes • Effective means of incapacitating group

5. Is this something new? • World War I • Germans use glander to infect mules, cattle and horses • Japanese troops dropped rice and wheat carrying plague-infected fleas on China, resulting in plague. Caused an epidemic.

6. Is this something new? • World War II • Prisoners in German concentration camps were infected to test biological weapons • The British tested anthrax spores off the coast of Scotland on an island that remained inhabitable for decades • U.S. developed anthrax spores, botulinum toxin and other agents, but didn’t use them. • Japanese labs conducted experiments on prisoners of war. The Soviets prosecuted. The US spared the Japanese in exchange for knowledge.

7. Is this something new? • After World War II • US biologic program based at Fort Detrick, Maryland • 1950-1960s – US Navy released different bacteria to simulate spread in the San Francisco Bay area. Some infections and deaths resulted. • US conducted 239 top-secret open-air dispersal of simulants in areas such as New York subway and Washington DC airport. • 1971, Soviet Union, accidental release of smallpox caused 3 deaths.

8. Is this something new? • 1969, Nixon dismantled the Biological Weapons Program • 1972 Soviet Union signed the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) • However, it continued its bioweapons program. • 42,000 scientists were probably involved • Developed weaponized anthrax, missile-mounted smallpox, antibiotic-resistant plague & anthrax • Mass-production of hemorrhagic fever viruses • 1975 US ratified the BWC • As of 2002, 144 nations had ratified the BWC

9. Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Terrorism Events since 1970 March 1995 Sarin 12 Dead, 5500 Affected May 1995 Plague April 1997 U235 1984 Salmonella 200 Injured June 1994 Sarin 1972 Typhoid February 1997 Chlorine 7 Dead, 200 Injured 14 Injured, 500 Evacuated 2001 Anthrax 5 dead ??? Injured 1992 Cyanide June 1996 Uranium 1984 Botulinum March 1995 Ricin December 1995 Ricin April 1995 Sarin 1985 Cyanide November 1995 Radioactive Cesium April-June 1995 Cyanide, Phosgene, Pepper Spray San Diego Medical Society

10. Chemical & Biological Terrorism 1984: The Dalles, Oregon, Salmonella(salad bar) 1991: Minnesota, ricin toxin (hoax) 1994: Tokyo, Sarin and biological attacks 1995: Arkansas, ricin toxin (hoax) 1995: Ohio, Yersinia pestis (sent in mail) 1997: Washington DC, “Anthrax” (hoax) 1998: Nevada , non-lethal strain of B. anthracis 1998: Multiple “Anthrax” hoaxes

11. 1972- “Order of the Rising Sun” • Possession of 30-40 kg of Typhoid Cultures • Were going to poison water supplies of Chicago, St Louis, and other large Midwestern cities • Thwarted by FBI

12. 1984 – Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh • The Dalles, Oregon fall 1984 • Sprayed Salmonella on salad bars at 10 restaurants • Attempt to sway local election by decreasing turnout of voters • 751 Ill • 45 Hospitalized • 0 fatalities

13. 1990’s Aum Shinrinkyo Cult • Attempted release of Anthrax on at least 8 occasions- no illness • Sarin Subway Attack 1995- 5,510 affected • Dead 8 • Critical 17 • Severe 37 • Moderate 984 • Outpatient 4,073 • Unknown 391

14. Today? – Questions?

15. Bioterrorism

16. Ideal Biological Weapon • Easy to manufacture/obtain • Lethality / Incapacitation • Easy to store • Easy to deliver to target in large quantities large population – particle size • Highly infective / contagious • Incubation period • Fear factor - untreatable

17. Advantages of biological agents as weapons • Infectious via aerosol • Organisms fairly stable in environment • Susceptible civilian populations • High morbidity and mortality • Person-to-person transmission (smallpox, plague, VHF) • Difficult to diagnose and/or treat • Previous development for BW

18. CDC Threat Classification • Emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dessemination • Availability • Ease of production and dissemination • Potential for high morbidity and mortality and major health impact

19. CDC Threat Classification Category A • Agents that pose a threat to National Security • Easily disseminated or transmitted from person to person • Cause high mortality – public health impact • Public panic / Social disruption • Require special action for PH preparedness

20. CDC Threat Classification Category B • Moderately easy to disseminate • Moderate morbidity and low mortality • Require specific enhancement of CDC and PH surveillance

21. CDC Threat Classification Category C • Emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dissemination in the future. • Available, easy to produce and disseminate • Potential for high morbidity and mortality • Major PH impact

22. CDC Critical Biological Agents“Category A”- Viruses

23. CDC Critical Biological Agents“Category A”- Bacteria

24. CDC Critical Biological Agents“Category A” - Toxins

25. CDC Threat Classification – Category B

26. CDC Classification – Category C

27. Anthrax

28. Plague • Acral gangrene • Late complication of pneumonic or septicemic plague • Fingers • Toes • Earlobes • Nose • Penis.

29. Smallpox

30. Close-up Smallpox rash CDC/Public domain

31. Summary • Bioterrorism is not new, just more prevalent • Diseases of greatest concern • Anthrax • Botulism • Tularemia • Plague • Smallpox • VHF’s • Disaster preparedness should focus on all threats • Chemical Agents • Nuclear Threats

32. Chemical terrorism

33. Chemical Agents • Nerve Agents • Vesicants/Blister • Pulmonary-Damaging agents • Blood Agents or Cyanides • Riot Control Agents / Tear Gases

34. Comparison of BioterrorismToxins and Chemical Agents

35. Comparison of BioterrorismToxins and Chemical Agents-2

36. Chemical Terrorism Agents

37. Chemical Terrorism Agents – 2

38. Chemical Terrorism • Agents: • Cheap • Simple technology • Difficult to detect • Highly efficient • Very frightening • Can produce physical or psychological symptoms • Civilian use of chemicals commom • Personal protective equipment??? • Decontamination???

39. Questions?