This topic discusses how microbes or any other living entity could be used as a biological weapon that can cause a threat to humans. This can also be a leading cause of the economical breakdown of a country and can also turn out to be in a form of a pandemic affecting the whole world as happened in the case of novel coronavirus.

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BIOLOGICAL WEAPON-
THREATS TO HUMANITY
PRESENTED BY:
Dr. Shikha Thakur
Assistant Professor
Thakur College of Science and Commerce

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Biological Warfare: Historical
Perspective
 The predetermined use of microorganisms and toxins as weapons has been attempted throughout history.
 Biological warfare has evolved from the crude use of cadavers to contaminate water supplies to the
development of specialized munitions for battlefield and covert use.
 The modern development of biological agents as weapons has paralleled advances in basic and applied
microbiology. These include the identification of virulent pathogens suitable for aerosol delivery and
industrial-scale fermentation processes to produce large quantities of pathogens and toxins.
 The history of biological warfare is difficult to assess because of a number of confounding factors. These
include difficulties in verification of alleged or attempted biological attacks.
 Biological warfare has been renounced by 140 nations, primarily for strategic and other pragmatic
reasons. International diplomatic efforts, including the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention, have not
been entirely effective in preventing the enhancement and proliferation of offensive biological warfare
programs. The threats posed by biological weapons are likely to continue into the future.

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The spectrum of symptoms associated
with biological warfare
 There are hundreds of potential agents that could be used in biological
warfare or bioterrorism: bacteria, viruses and toxins. There are no
similarities between clinical presentations of organisms or toxins belonging
to specific microbial families. Therefore, it is important for the physician,
required to cope with an unusual disease or outbreak among his patients, to
become familiar with the various symptoms that victims of biological
warfare or bioterrorism may present.

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Continued…
 The six most common presentations reviewed are: 1) respiratory tract symptoms; 2) hemorrhagic fevers;
3) meningitis and encephalitis; 4) flaccid paralyses; 5) fever syndromes with rash; and 6) diarrheal
syndromes.
 Additional presentations may be possible due to alterations made in these organisms or development of
new agents and mixtures. A list is provided of features that may alert a physician of the possibility of
biological warfare or bioterrorism.
 Knowledge of the principal clinical presentations of victims of biological warfare or bioterrorism is
essential to all physicians. This may contribute to the early recognition of a cluster of patients, an
epidemic, an unusual disease, or biological warfare; quick referral to the emergency department, leading
to early microbiological diagnosis; and rapid notification of the Ministry of Health.

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Biomaterials for mediation of chemical
and biological warfare agents.
 Recent events have emphasized the threat from chemical and biological warfare agents.
Within the efforts to counter this threat, the biocatalytic destruction and sensing of
chemical and biological weapons has become an important area of focus. The specificity
and high catalytic rates of biological catalysts make them appropriate for
decommissioning nerve agent stockpiles, counteracting nerve agent attacks, and
remediation of organophosphate spills.
 A number of materials have been prepared containing enzymes for the destruction of and
protection against organophosphate nerve agents and biological warfare agents. The
major chemical and biological warfare agents, decontamination methods, and
biomaterials that have potential for the preparation of decontamination wipes, gas filters,
column packings, protective wear, and self-decontaminating paints and coatings.

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Diseases caused by viruses and toxins in
biological warfare and bioterrorism.
 Viruses and toxins, as well as bacteria and rickettsia can potentially be used as
biological weapons in conflicts or in bioterrorism.
 The infection can be acquired by inhalation of aerosols, ingestion of contaminated
food or water, or direct contact with the skin or mucosa. Special attention must be
given to the possible use of genetically modified agents.
 Clinical features of diseases caused by viruses (smallpox, hemorrhagic fever and
encephalitis) and toxins (botulinum, staphylococcal enterotoxin B.ricinus toxin
and mycotoxins) their diagnosis, treatment, as well as basic preventive measures.

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Recent Outbreak: COVID-19 – A Pandemic
 THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE: Now referred to as COVID-2019THE
ORIGIN
 • It is speculated that the novel coronavirus originated from a Seafood Wholesale
Market – that also sold live wild animals – in Wuhan City, China.
 • The current strain is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from
animals to humans.
 • The virus is also contagious between people.
 THE INCUBATION PERIODSymptoms of COVID-2019 may appear in as few as
2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.SIGNS AND SYMPTOMSReported
illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms, to people being
severely ill.Symptoms may include:• Fever• Coughing• Shortness of
breathThese may progress to:• Severe respiratory illness• Multiple organ failure

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Continued…
 THE INCUBATION PERIOD: Symptoms of COVID-2019 may appear in as
few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Reported illnesses have ranged from people with
little to no symptoms, to people being severely ill.
 Symptoms may include: • Fever• Coughing• Shortness of breath. These may
progress to:• Severe respiratory illness• Multiple organ failure

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Continued…
PREVENTION
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick or show symptoms of
the virus.• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-
based sanitiser (60-85% alcohol).
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.•
Stay at home when you are sick.
• Practice cough etiquette, covering your cough or sneeze.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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Biological weapons control. Prospects
and implications for the future.
 The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), which prohibits the acquisition of
biological materials for hostile purposes and armed conflict, entered into force in 1975 and
now has the participation of 140 nations (158 nations have signed the BWC, but only 140 of
these have also ratified it).
 However, there is no monitoring mechanism associated with the BWC. Diplomatic efforts
are now under way to create a supplemental, legally binding protocol to strengthen the
convention. Measures to strengthen the BWC are analogous to the diagnostic processes
familiar to physicians; the problem facing negotiators is to identify procedures with high
positive and negative predictive value. Few proposed measures meet these criteria.
 The investigation of unusual disease outbreaks and allegations of use are highly diagnostic
of illicit activities while avoiding false-positive accusations. At the same time, such
information generated by the BWC can contribute to worldwide efforts to improve public
health, control emergent disease, and establish an international norm against biological
weapons proliferation.

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References
 Stefan Riedel, Biological warfare and bioterrorism: a historical review. Pubmed
 Christopher GW1, Cieslak TJ, Pavlin JA, Eitzen EM Jr. Biological warfare. A
historical perspective.
 Yinnon AM1, Katz LH, Robenshtok E, Schlesinger Y, Brenner B, Raveh D. The
spectrum of symptoms associated with biological warfare.
 Russell AJ1, Berberich JA, Drevon GF, Koepsel RR. Biomaterials for mediation
of chemical and biological warfare agents. Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 2003;5:1-
27.
 Bojić I1, Vukadinov J, Minić S.Diseases caused by viruses and toxins in
biological warfare and bioterrorism.

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