Easter C ollege

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
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Biological Weapons
Group 3

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course NNCM 120 – Disaster Nursing

Submitted by:

Banga-an, Ezekiel Leo Q.

Pachingel, Collin Jasper C.

Badua, Kynsha V.

Balao, Karylle S.

Ferrer, Adilyn Mae N.

Galate, Cyprene T.

Galidan, Rochelle T.

Salagma, Jainna

ECI-BSN 4C

Submitted to:

Jason C. Delson, RN

Clinical Instructor

Date Submitted:

April 10, 2025

 DESCRIPTION/ BACKGROUND/ HISTORY
Description

Biological and toxin weapons include microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, or fungi, as
well as toxic substances made by living organisms. These are intentionally released to cause
illness and death in humans, animals, or plants.

Certain biological agents, such as anthrax, botulinum toxin, and plague, can cause
widespread disease and high death rates in a short time. Some of these agents can spread from
person to person, leading to epidemics. A biological attack can resemble a natural outbreak,
making it harder for health authorities to respond. In times of war or conflict, laboratories that
handle dangerous pathogens may be targeted, posing a major public health risk. (WHO)

Background and History

Infectious diseases were recognized for their potential impact on people and armies as
early as 600 BC. The crude use of filth and cadavers, animal carcasses, and contagion had
devastating effects and weakened the enemy. Polluting wells and other sources of water of the
opposing army was a common strategy that continued to be used through the many European
wars, during the American Civil War, and even into the 20th century.

600 BC: Solon Uses the Purgative Herb Hellebore during the Siege of Krissa

In 600 BC, during the siege of Krissa, the Athenian statesman Solon used hellebore, a
purgative herb, as a form of biological warfare. Hellebore, when ingested, causes vomiting and
severe gastrointestinal distress, making it an effective method of incapacitating enemy forces.
Although the exact details are unclear, it is believed that the herb was used to poison the water
supply or food sources to weaken the besieged population. This early example of biological
warfare aimed to reduce the enemy's ability to fight by causing illness and debilitation.

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) is an international treaty that bans the use,
development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, and transfer of biological weapons. It was
signed on April 10, 1972, in London, Moscow, and Washington, D.C., and came into force on
March 26, 1975, after 22 nations ratified it. By 2013, 170 states and Taiwan had signed and
ratified the treaty, 10 had signed but not ratified, and 16 UN member states had neither signed
nor ratified it.

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The BWC permits biological agents or toxins only for defensive or peaceful purposes and
requires the destruction of biological weapons and related facilities within nine months of the
treaty’s enforcement.

TYPES AND KINDS

Types of Biological Weapons

Type Description Examples

Single-celled organisms that - Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)

Bacteria can reproduce inside the body
and cause disease. - Plague (Yersinia pestis)

Tiny infectious agents that - Smallpox (Variola virus)

Viruses reproduce only inside living
cells. - Ebola virus

Poisonous substances - Botulinum toxin

Toxins produced by living organisms
(not alive themselves). - Ricin (from castor beans)

Can infect crops, animals, and - Wheat stem rust

Fungi humans, leading to food
shortages or illnesses. - Coccidioides fungus

Microorganisms similar to - Typhus (Rickettsia

Rickettsiae bacteria but need a host cell to prowazekii)
survive.

Kinds of Biological Weapons (Based on Use and Effects)

Kind Purpose Example

Anti-personnel To harm or kill people Smallpox virus spread in a

directly. city

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 Anti-plant (Anti-crop) To destroy crops and cause Wheat stem rust spores
famine or economic damage.

Anti-animal To kill livestock and cause Foot-and-mouth disease virus

food shortages.

Economic biological Targeting agriculture or Rinderpest virus affecting

weapons industries indirectly harming cattle
the economy.

CATASTROPHIC EVENTS IN HISTORY

1. The 1347 Black Death (Caffa Siege) - The Mongols used plague-infected corpses as
biological weapons during the Siege of Caffa, leading to a widespread outbreak.

Casualties: Estimated 25-50 million deaths in Europe over the following decades.
Other Losses: Severe economic collapse, labor shortages, and the decline of entire cities.
Management and Response:
- Limited medical knowledge at the time; response was ineffective.
- Quarantine methods were later introduced in cities like Venice to control the
spread.
- Improved sanitation and hygiene practices emerged in response to the plague.

2. World War II – Japan’s Unit 731 (1937-1945) - The Imperial Japanese Army’s Unit 731
conducted biological warfare experiments in China, infecting people with plague,
anthrax, and cholera.

Casualties: Estimated 200,000–300,000 deaths, mainly in China, due to deliberate

biological attacks.
Other Losses: Thousands of villages and farmlands were contaminated, causing food
shortages.
Management and Response:
- The war ended before further escalation of bioweapons use.
- After WWII, Japan’s biological warfare program was dismantled.
- The Geneva Protocol (1925) and Biological Weapons Convention (1972) were
strengthened to ban such practices.

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3. Sverdlovsk Anthrax Leak (1979, USSR) - A Soviet bioweapons facility in Sverdlovsk (now
Yekaterinburg, Russia) accidentally released aerosolized anthrax spores.

Casualties: At least 66 deaths, but estimates suggest higher numbers due to secretive
Soviet reports.
Other Losses: The Soviet Union faced international scrutiny, and surrounding areas
suffered long-term environmental contamination.
Management and Response:
- Soviet authorities initially covered up the incident, blaming tainted meat.
- The outbreak was eventually contained through medical interventions and
vaccination.
- The truth was revealed in the 1990s, leading to international concerns over
secret bioweapons programs.

4. 2001 Anthrax Attacks (USA) - Letters containing anthrax spores were sent to media offices
and U.S. government officials.

Casualties: 5 deaths, 17 infected, and thousands exposed requiring prophylactic

antibiotics.
Other Losses: Major disruptions to government operations, economic loss in postal
services, and widespread fear of bioterrorism.
Management and Response:
- Immediate quarantine and medical treatment for exposed individuals.
- Mass antibiotic distribution (Ciprofloxacin) to those potentially exposed.
- FBI investigation (Amerithrax case) led to a suspect, but full accountability
remained inconclusive.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Preparedness
 Develop and deploy robust disease surveillance systems to detect unusual outbreaks or
biological events. - Create resilient monitoring systems that track disease indicators
across various settings, enabling early detection and timely intervention to curb outbreaks
before they escalate.

 Train healthcare professionals in bioterrorism response.

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  They should be familiar with biological weapons, their classifications and symptoms
to ensure timely identification and response.
 Proper training, quick recognition and adherence to CDC protocols are crucial in
mitigating the impact of bioterrorist attacks.
 Bioterrorism remains a recurring threat, thus, the need for vigilance and preparedness
in the healthcare system is crucial.

 Strengthen laboratory capacities for rapid identification of pathogens.

 Invest in upgrading laboratory infrastructure, equipping them with advanced
diagnostic tools, and training personnel to quickly and accurately identify biological
threats. Strengthened lab capacity enables early detection of infectious agents, crucial
for initiating timely public health responses and preventing widespread outbreaks.

 Educate and create reliable communication channels to the public on recognizing signs of
an attack.
 Implement public awareness campaigns that teach people how to identify unusual
symptoms and behaviors that may indicate a biological attack. Establish trusted, clear,
and consistent communication platforms such as government websites, social media,
and emergency alert systems to ensure the public receives accurate information
quickly during emergencies, reducing panic and misinformation.

 Maintain reserves of antibiotics, antivirals, vaccines, and protective equipment to handle

mass exposure incidents.
 Develop and manage national stockpiles of essential medical supplies, including life-
saving medications and personal protective equipment (PPE). These reserves should
be regularly updated and distributed strategically across regions to ensure rapid
deployment during a biological emergency, minimizing casualties and controlling the
spread of disease.

2. Response
 Detection: Rapid diagnosis using advanced medical technologies.
 Advanced medical technologies such as real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction),
next-generation sequencing, and portable diagnostic devices enable healthcare
workers to detect and identify pathogens within hours rather than days. These tools
can analyze blood, saliva, or other samples to determine the specific bacteria, virus,
or toxin involved. Fast and accurate diagnosis helps doctors begin the right treatment
sooner, reduces the spread of infection, and supports public health officials in making
informed decisions during an outbreak or biological attack.

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  Other detection methods include Field Biological Detection Kits which are used by
first responders and military personnel to rapidly identify and assess the presence of
biological agents in the environment.
 Example of Kits:
 BioScreener - used for rapid screening of suspicious powders to determine if
they are biological or non-biological
 Rapid Assessment Initial Detection (RAID) 8 Kit - detects a range of
biological agents including anthrax, botulinum, ricin, staphylococcal
enterotoxin B and tularemia.

 Containment: Quarantine measures, mass vaccination, and prophylaxis distribution.

Initiate contact tracing to identify and monitor potential carriers.
 To stop the spread of a disease during an outbreak or biological attack, immediate
containment steps are needed. This includes isolating infected individuals through
quarantine to prevent them from infecting others. Mass vaccination can help protect
large groups of people quickly, while giving preventive medicines (prophylaxis) to
those who may have been exposed can stop illness before it starts. Contact tracing is
also critical as it involves identifying people who may have had contact with
infected individuals and monitoring them for symptoms. This helps break the chain
of transmission early.

 Coordination: Multi-agency collaboration, including public health authorities, law

enforcement, and international bodies.
 Effective response to a biological threat requires different agencies working together.
Public health officials lead the medical response, while law enforcement may help
with enforcing quarantines, securing affected areas, and investigating possible
criminal acts if the outbreak is intentional. International organizations (like the
WHO) may also get involved, especially if the outbreak crosses borders.
Coordination ensures everyone shares information, resources, and responsibilities to
respond faster and more efficiently.

 Initiate contact tracing and isolation protocols

 Identify and monitor people who had contact with infected individuals to prevent
further spread.

3. Recovery
 Long-term healthcare support for survivors, including mental health services.

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  After a biological event or outbreak, many survivors may continue to experience
health problems, both physical and emotional. Long-term medical care is essential to
help them fully recover. Mental health services are also crucial, as people may suffer
from trauma, anxiety, or grief due to the event. Providing accessible and ongoing
support helps individuals rebuild their lives and improves community well-being.
 Restoration of infrastructure and trust in public institutions.
 Biological crises can disrupt essential services like hospitals, transportation,
communication, and supply chains. Part of recovery is repairing this infrastructure to
restore normal life. Equally important is rebuilding public trust. People need to feel
confident that government institutions and healthcare systems can protect and
support them. Transparency, effective communication, and consistent service
delivery help restore that trust.

 Learn lessons to refine future strategies.

 Every crisis provides valuable lessons. It is important to review what worked and
what didn’t during the response. This information should be used to improve
emergency plans, policies, and training. By learning from past experiences,
governments and health agencies can be better prepared and more effective in
handling future biological threats.

4. Mitigation
 Reduce risks through international treaties like the Biological Weapons Convention
(BWC).
 One key way to prevent the use of biological weapons is by supporting and
enforcing international agreements such as the BWC. This treaty bans the
development, production, and use of biological weapons. By encouraging countries
to follow these rules and allowing inspections or accountability measures, the global
community can reduce the chances of intentional biological attacks and promote
peaceful scientific research.

 Promote global research on disease control and prevention.

 Supporting international collaboration in medical and scientific research helps
countries better understand diseases, develop vaccines and treatments, and share
knowledge. Investing in this kind of research strengthens global capacity to respond
to both natural outbreaks and man-made threats, ensuring faster and more effective
solutions when diseases emerge.

 Establish early warning systems for unusual disease outbreaks.

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  Creating systems that can detect unusual patterns of illness early such as a sudden
spike in cases in a certain area helps alert health authorities before a disease spread
widely. These systems might use data from hospitals, labs, or even environmental
monitoring to give quick warnings. Early detection gives more time to respond and
contain the threat, reducing the overall impact.
 Secure laboratories and hazardous biological materials.
 Ensure that laboratories handling dangerous pathogens follow strict biosafety and
biosecurity measures to prevent accidental release or misuse.

References:
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Amerithrax or Anthrax Investigation.
https://www.fbi.gov/history/famouscases/amerithrax-or-anthrax-investigation
Field Forensics. (n.d.). BioScreener – Chemical and Biological Agent Detection and Testing.
https://www.fieldforensics.com/products/by-model/bioscreener-chem-bio/
Hazmat Resource, Inc. (n.d.). RAID 8 Biothreat Detection Kit.
https://hazmatresource.com/product/field-testing-and-detection/raid-8-biothreat-detection-kit/
United Nations. (1972). Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling
of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction.
https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.37_conv
%20biological%20weapons.pdf
United Nations. (n.d.). The Biological Weapons Convention: An Introduction.
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3964615?v=pdf
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Biological weapons.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/biological-weapons/
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Deliberate events.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/deliberate-events/
Wright State University. (n.d.). Biological Weapon Events in History.
https://people.wright.edu/sites/people.wright.edu/files/user-uploads/terry.oroszi/biological-
weapon-events-history_0.pdf

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