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In this age of growing terrorism and warfare, more and
more weapons involving chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological elements
are being developed and the possibility of attacks involving them
have become a reality.
Terrorism has always been a threat globally but recently
the threats have reached dynamic proportions with terrorists groups driven
by distorted religious and cultural ideologies becoming powerful or willing
enough to produce or use deadly weapons causing mass destruction, more
over on Civilian targets.
The use of such weapons could kill large numbers of people
causing mass destruction as well as spread panic and fear among the masses.
It could cause lasting disruption and generate significant psychological
impact on a population and its infrastructure. Such weapons include chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear devices. These deadly weapons are
generally termed as Weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Biological Weapons :
Biological weapons are naturally
occurring infectious organisms such as a bacteria or virus or toxins found
in nature, used intentionally to cause harm. This includes both living
microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, rickettsia and fungi and toxins
produced by these micro-organisms or by plants and animals.
There is a long list of biological
warfare agents which could be used as weapons. Some of the agents most
likely to be used are infections like anthrax, plague, smallpox, tularemia,
viral hemorrhagic fevers and naturally occurring toxins like ricin, botulisum
toxin etc.
These weapons can be delivered by aerosolizing i.e spreading
in the air so that they could be inhaled by the people or put into food
or water supplies where they would be ingested. Many biological agents
can also cause harm if contacted by human skin.
Anthrax : The bacteria 'bacillus
anthracis' is a spore forming bacteria found in the soil which has two
forms, the pulmonary and the cutaneous. This bacteria produces a
toxin, of which the pulmonary is the more deadly. A pneumonic anthrax
infection starts with ordinary cold symptoms, then fever, fatigue, respiratory
distress and septic shock which can be fatal. Death can occur within
24 or 36 hours if left untreated. There is a good chance of survival if
vaccinated before exposure and treated with antibiotics after exposure.
Pencillin vaccines are taken as treatment. A recent well publicized
Bio terrorism attack using anthrax broke out in the United States in the
fall of 2001.
Pneumonic Plague : The Plague caused by the virus
from infected flea bite can develop into the virulent and contagious form
of pneumonia, the Pneumonic plague. Fever, cough, chills, breathing difficulties
culminate in rapid shock. If left untreated, the disease can kill 50 to
90% of the masses infected. If diagnosed and treated with antibiotics
as soon as possible, then there are chances of 85% survival.
Ricin : Ricin is a toxin produced from castor
bean. If infected, the symptoms are nausea, fever, convulsions, muscle
spasms, respiratory distress- due to fluid build up in the lungs ending
in death. Exposure to the toxin can kill in three days. No antitoxin or
vaccine available as treatment.
Small pox : Small pox is a highly infectious viral
disease. The symptoms are fever, rashes all over the body with pus filled
blisters developing. The disease can cause kidney damage, blindness and
pneumonia. There is vaccination available as defense. If not inoculated,
the mortality rate can be about 30%. The disease naturally occurred last
in 1977 after which it was eradicated through aggressive worldwide vaccination
campaign.
Botulism Toxin : It is a toxin released by the
bacteria 'Clostridium botulinum'. The bacteria occurs naturally with rotting
food in infected cans. The toxin, the most poisonous substance ever known
if ingested or breathed in, can cause nerve disruption. Symptoms are flue
like symptoms, slight numbness in lips, fingertips, double vision, chest
paralysis and respiratory failure which can be fatal. If left untreated,
it can cause sure death. Treatment is by administration of antitoxin.
Full recovery can take months.
Tularemia or Rabbit fever: This
infection occur among the wild animals in the Northern Hemisphere. Ticks
in contact with the infected animal can spread it to humans by biting
them. The incubation period is from two to ten days. The symptoms are
skin irritability and ache in the place bitten, swollen glands, high fever
etc. Fatal in about 5% of the cases, more if left untreated. Treatment
is with antibiotics and there is no anti vaccine available.
Chemical Weapons
Chemical weapons are chemical agents or poisons which
are non-explosive but used intentionally to cause harm or death. They
are not living organisms by themselves. Chemical warfare agents can include
Nerve gases, mustard gases, Hydrogen Cyanide based agents, Arsines, toxins,
teargases and incapacitating agents like psychotomimetic agents etc. Chemical
Warfare agents has been in use from early as the first World War. Some
examples of chemical weapons include :
Sarin : Sarin is a nerve agent which is a highly
toxic, ordorless gas. When exposed it penetrates through
the skin, eye or respiratory system. Symptoms are severe headaches, sweating,
blurred vision, chest tightness vomiting , convulsions and respiratory
failure resulting in death. Lethal dosage of the gas can kill within two
to fifteen minutes. Treatment is immediate decontamination or avoiding
contact by using compressed oxygen mask. The gas can be sprayed from the
air or dispersed using artillery shells.
Mustard Gas : It is a mustard
agent which is a gas which smells like garlic or mustard and has a brown
or yellow appearance. The symptoms of exposure are red and itchy skin,
runny nose, shortness of breath etc. Inhalation or skin exposure can cause
long lasting painful blisters all over the body and can lead to lung and
respiratory cancer. Death could occur only to less than one out of ten.
The gas can be dispersed by spraying, put in artillery shells or the liquid
form can be poured on the ground.
VX : VX is a nerve agent, which is an ordorless,
oily, amber liquid. It blocks the transmission of impulses down the body's
central nervous system causing convulsions, respiratory paralysis and
death. VX penetrates through the skin, eyes or respiratory system and
the symptoms are runny nose, pinpoint pupils, drooling, sweating and nausea.
Even a small dose of 10mg (a drop) on the skin or 50 mg if inhaled can
be lethal. As a weapon it could be sprayed from the air or poured to contaminate
the ground areas.
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