Bioterrorism can be defined as a deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or some other agent used to
spread sickness or death among a large, unsuspecting population. These agents are easily spread through air, water, or food.
What are Biological Agents?
Biological agents
are living organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins, that spread diseases to other
living organisms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as CDC, has classified biological agents into three different categories, depending on their ability to spread and the severity of illness or death they could cause to the public.
The categories are A, B, and C. Category A agents are considered the highest risk, while Category C agents carry the lowest risk of spread or are emerging threats for disease.
Biological agents may be genetically engineered to become more resistant to today's medicine and increase
their ability to spread into the environment.
How does Bioteorrorism Work?
In order to for a biological agent to be effective, it must be either inhaled, enter through a cut, or be eaten
by the organism being attacked. Some of these agents are contagious, which requires less amount to be used, and can be carried from
one victim to another.
Bioterrorism compared to chemical/nuclear/radiation.
Bioteorrism is different from chemical, nuclear, or radiation attacks. These attacks are cuased
by some sort of explosion or otherwise noticable activations. Instead, biologoical atttacks are mostly found by common illness
found in a population, and can't be determined until looked upon by health experts.
How can Bioterrorism be prevented?
Ways to prevent yourself from attacks are vaccinations, and report any unknown substance found in any consipcuous places.
