A presentation on the history and use of Biological warfare.

1. Biological Warfare
ANNA CARR, JEROTICH MUTWOL, BROOKE JOHNSON

2. Biological warfare
• Biological Warfare is the use of toxins of biological origin or microorganisms as weapons
of war.
• Includes organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi
• Another name for biological warfare is “germ warfare”
• May be used in many ways to obtain tactical or strategic advantage over threats,
deployments and adversaries.

3. History of Biological warfare
• Dates back to about 400BC.
• Archers in ancient times would dip their arrows in poisonous material.
•During a 12th century battle, Barbarossa put corpses and dying soldiers in wells to poison those
that drank from them
•14th century Tatar forces tossed plague infected bodies into the city in hopes of causing an
epidemic to infect the enemy
•During WWI and WWII, the use of biological agents, such as anthrax, were present
•The Geneva Protocol of 1925 was the first multilateral agreement that extended prohibition of
chemical agents to biological agents. This agreement was signed by 108 nations.

4. Pros and Cons of using biological agents
PROS:
• Efficiency. Biological agents have proved to be very efficient when infecting numerous
amounts of people.
• Cost is cheaper than nuclear and chemical weapons.
CONS:
• Unpredictable. The use of biological agents can back-fire and have traumatic
consequences.
• Last for long periods of time.

5. The use of biological agents
•These agents can have effects on humans, animals, and plants.
•Can be dispersed in food, water, and even through the air
•When dispersed through the air, these agents can affect hundreds and even thousands of
people at a given time.
•Biological agents are not often very easy to detect.
•The after-effects of exposure can result in serious viral or bacterial infection, and possibly result
in death.

6. Viral Encephalitis
•Viral encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by a virus, and can cause the risk of permanent
brain damage
•Symptoms: high temperature, headache, stiffness, vomiting, seizures, coma, amnesia, etc.
•Viral Transmission:
• Coughs and sneezes from an infected person can cause the virus to become airborne
• Infected insects and animals, transfer the virus directly through the bloodstream if they bite
• Contaminated food and drink
• Diagnosis:
• Physical examination and blood tests
• CT scan, EEG, MRI

7. Bioterrorism and Biowarfare
• Terrorists groups are often the ones who use biowarfare, but mainly result in hoaxes.
• 1992: In October, Soko Asahra, 40 followers of the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo cult traveled to Zaire to
assist victims of the Ebola virus. In 1995 it was reported that the cult's real motive was to obtain virus
samples to be used for biological attacks.
•Fall of 2001, anthrax-contaminated letters were sent through the U.S Postal Service and were said to
have contaminated several people.
•In March 1995, cult members planted 3 briefcases designed to release botulinum toxin in a Tokyo
subway. The attack was averted when a cult member substituted a nontoxic agent instead.
• The use of biological agents is now more of a threat than at any other point in history.

8. Those who treat/research bio warfare
• Terrorists – many cases have said to be the act of terrorist attacks
•Epidemiologists – those who try and understand what causes people to get sick, as well as to
find ways to reduce illness, injury and death from preventable causes.
• Every day people and government officials are those usually targeted.
•Biochemists, Scientists, Engineers, etc.
•William C. Patrick III

9. Sources
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/biological_warfare/article_em.htm#history_of_biological_wa
rfare
http://www.iaff.org/HS/Resi/Anthrax/NaturalVsIntentional.htm
http://healthresearchfunding.org/biological-warfare-pros-cons/
http://www.wyatt-lorenz.com/files/Effects%20of%20BW%20Agents.pdf
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/bt_public_history.shtm