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Review
. 2008 Mar;22(1):145-87, vii.
doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2007.12.003.

Biological terrorism

Gregory J Moran  1 , David A Talan, Fredrick M Abrahamian
Affiliations
Review

Biological terrorism

Gregory J Moran et al. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2008 Mar.

Abstract

A biological terrorism event could have a large impact on the general population and health care system. The impact of an infectious disaster will most likely be great to emergency departments, and the collaboration between emergency and infectious disease specialists will be critical in developing an effective response. A bioterrorism event is a disaster that requires specific preparations beyond the usual medical disaster planning. An effective response would include attention to infection control issues and plans for large-scale vaccination or antimicrobial prophylaxis. This article addresses some general issues related to preparing an effective response to a biological terrorism event. It will also review organisms and toxins that could be used in biological terrorism, including clinical features, management, diagnostic testing, and infection control.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Anthrax skin lesion. (Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Dr. Philip S. Brachman.)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Smallpox skin lesions on the trunk. (Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/James Hicks.)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Electron micrograph of Ebola virus. (Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Cynthia Goldsmith.)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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MeSH terms

Substances