lectures 20-23 Flashcards
(77 cards)
define what is meant by biological warfare
the use of infectious agents or biological toxins with intent to kill or incapacitate people, animals, or plants as an act of war
define what is meant by bioterrorism
terrorism involving the release or dissemination of biological agents
briefly outline what happened in the 1340s siege of Kaffa
1343 - Genoese in Kaffa, Tatars began invading
1346 - reinforcements brought the plague which spread through Tatars, plague-ridden dead catapulted over walls, Genoese surrender
- plague spread through europe - in london by 1348
what happened in 1925?
the first multilateral agreement was signed that extended the prohibition of chemical agents to biological agents as well
NOT SIGNED BY JAPAN
how did the Japanese army use biological warfare 1930-1945?
1930s - Japan invaded Manchuria and field tested biological weapons on Chinese soldiers and civilians (plague, anthrax, cholera)
1940 - plague infected fleas were dropped by Japanese planes in Ningbo
how did the UK test BWs in Gruinard Island?
- they experimented by dropping anthrax
- 1986 bombed with formaldehyde to inhibit anthrax effects
what occurred in the 1966 subway experiment?
a lightbulb containing Bacillus globigii (non harmful bacteria) was dropped in the NYC subway and circulation was monitored
what non-governmental use of BWs has been observed?
1984 - contaminated salad bars with salmonella in Oregon
1995 - anthrax, botulinum toxin, and ebola virus to use against population of Japan (never successful)
where was an anthrax attack recorded in 2001?
- spores were sent to several locations via the US postal service
- 22 cases recorded?
which US president was sent a letter which may have contain ricin?
Donald Trump
what features of bioterror agents need to be present for a category A classification?
- easily disseminated or transmitted from person to person
- high mortality rates, potential for major public health impact
- may cause public panic and social disruption
- require special action for public health preparedness
which bacterial bioterror agents feature in category A?
- anthrax
- botulism
- plague
- tularemia
which viral diseases feature in category A?
- smallpox
- viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Marbug)
what features are found in category B classifications?
- the agent is moderately easy to disseminate
- moderate morbidity rates, or low morbidity rates
- they require enhanced disease surveillance
what diseases are under class B?
- food safety threats: Salmonella, E. coli, Shigella
- systemic cell death: ricin toxin
- water safety threats: Vibrio Cholerae, Cryptosporidium Parvum
what are the features of category C?
- they are emerging pathogens
- could be engineered due to availability
- ease of production and dissemination
- potential for high morbidity rates and major health impacts
what agents are categorised under class C?
- Nipah virus
- hantavirus
what are the main features of the Yersinia pestis bacteria?
- Gram negative
- intracellular rod
- facultatively anaerobic
what animal group is Yersinia pestis endemic to?
rodents
how is Yersinia pestis transmitted?
through the bite of an infected flea
how many people died in the second plague pandemic?
100 mil worldwide
is bubonic plague infectious?
nope
how does Yersinia pestis reach the lymph nodes to cause swelling?
1 - Y. pestis is phagocytosed by a macrophage
2 - the bacteria are transported to a lymph node
3 - the bacteria replicate in the phagosome
4 - bacteria escape from the phagosome and convert to phagocytosis-resistant encapsulated forms that cause systemic bacteraemia
what are the symptoms of septicaemic plague?
- fever & chills
- necrosis of tissues
- possible bleeding into the skin and other organs
