BACTERIA

Acute bacterial disease. Fatal if not treated early.

Three forms:

Inhalation, a break in the skin, or ingestion.

Not transmitted between humans.

Flu-like symptoms. Incubation 1-7 days.

Inhalation: fever, respiratory distress and shock.

Cutaneous:

Evolving skin lesion. First appears as a swollen area that looks like a large insect bite. Progresses to depressed ulcer and black lesion.

Gastrointestional: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, sepsis.

Early treatment with antibiotics after known exposure essential.

Antibiotics may also be used as preventive. Vaccine not available to public.

Resistant to sunlight, heat and some disinfectants.

Difficult to produce in effective form, but very stable. Easy to disperse.

VIRUS

A group of viruses that can cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Lives in non-human vertebrate host, especially horses.

Insect bites, primarily mosquitoes.

Flu-like symptoms include headache, malaise, spiking fevers.

May develop encephalitis in advanced stage. Rarely fatal. (<1percent fatality rate)

No effective antiviral drugs.

TOXIN

Serious paralytic illness caused by a potent nerve toxin.

Aerosol or food-borne release.

Does not transmit person to person.

Blurred vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness and paralysis,

Antitoxin to reduce symptoms.

Supportive care. Ventilation may be necessary.

Extremes of temperature and humidity degrade the toxin.

Aerosolized toxin dissipates after 2 days.

Wash with soap and water.

Disinfect with bleach solution.

Easily produced.

Can spread through air or food supply.

Among most poisonous toxins known.

BACTERIA

Infectious disease also known as Undulant Fever.

Primarily passed among animals.

Mortality is low

Inhalation of organisms,

Organism-contaminated food or water,

through skin break.

Person-to-person infection is rare.

Incubation period 3 weeks to several months. Flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms can persist for months or years with relapses and remissions.

Effective treatment with antibiotics possible but relapses can occur.

CHEMICAL

Fluid build-up in lungs, causing "dry-land drowning." Eye, airway irritation. Shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and choking.

Readily available industrial product. Gas heavier than air. Very reactive with other chemicals.

BACTERIA

Acute diarrheal bacterial illness caused by infection of the intestine.

Aerosol (rare), contaminated drinking water or food, often related to fecal contamination.

Sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhea with rapid loss of body fluids, nausea,vomiting, toxemia and collapse.

Incubation 1-5 days.

Rehydration.

Antibiotics.

Vaccine available but offers only 50 percent protection for 6 months.

CHEMICAL

Blocks absorption of oxygen in blood. High heart rate, difficulty breathing, vomiting, convulsion, cardiac arrest.

Remove contaminated clothes. Flush eyes and skin with water and soap. Respiratory support.

Readily available industrial product.

VIRUS

Severe, often-fatal hemorrhagic fever found in humans and primates.

Death can occur within one week of symptom onset.

Indigenous to Africa. Unknown host. 90 percent mortality rate.

Direct contact with bodily fluids of infected person. Contaminated surfaces.

Humans are not carriers.

Flu-like symptoms within a few days of exposure. Additional symptoms: hiccups, rash, red itchy eyes, bloody vomit and diarrhea, chest pain, massive hemorrhaging, shock, and multi-organ dysfunction.

No standard treatment. Supportive therapy for secondary infections.

Isolation.

Barrier nursing techniques.

No contact with blood or secretions or the deceased.

Aerosol release potential.

BACTERIA

Transmitted from infected animals to humans through membranes, inhalation or broken skin.

Localized infections, fever, muscle aches, chest pain, muscle tightness and headache.

Information on antibiotic treatment is limited.

Arenaviruses

VIRUS

Animal-borne viral disease with significant morbidity and mortality. During epidemics of Lassa there is a 50 percent mortality rate.

Flu-like, 1-3 weeks after exposure. Conjunctivitis, facial swelling, urine protein, mucosal bleeding, hearing loss, tremors and encephalitis.

Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, used with some success when administered early.

Supportive care.

Isolation.

Barrier nursing methods.

CHEMICAL

Chemical irritant agent used in riot control.

Burning eyes, coughing, eye closure, respiratory discomfort.

Remove contaminated clothing. Flush eyes and wash skin with water.

VIRUS

Rare, severe type of hemorrhagic fever. Affects humans and non-human primates, with 25 percent fatality rate.

Direct contact with bodily fluids or blood of infected person. Contaminated surfaces.

Indigenous to Africa. Animal host unknown.

Flu-like within 5 to 10 days of exposure. Trunk rash, chest pain, vomiting after day 5. Then, delirium, shock, liver failure, hemorrhaging, multi-organ dysfunction.

No determined treatment.

Supportive hospital therapy.

Isolation.

Barrier nursing techniques.

CHEMICAL

Chemical blister agent damages eyes, airways and skin.

Oil liquid with odor of garlic or onion.

Aerosol, vapor.

Effects similar to chemical burns. Reddening of skin, burning, itching, stinging pain. May be fatal if inhaled.

TOXIN

Naturally occurring poisonous compounds produced by various fungi.

Skin: pain, redness, blistering within moments, necrosis. Inhaled: nose and throat pain, cough, chest pain, bloody sputum.

Ingestion: nausea, vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea.

Eye: tearing, pain, blurred vision. Later: Loss of coordination, collapse.

Clean surfaces with a hypoclorite solution. Remove contaminated clothes and seal in bags.

NUCLEAR

Conventional atomic weapon acquired and detonated by terrorist group.

Massive injuries, loss of life and property. Severe trauma. Radiation exposure.

Mass casualty treatment for radiation and trauma by mobile emergency treatment centers.

Terrorist group acquisition from rogue nation or other sources.

NUCLEAR

Explosive device used to penetrate containment structure.

Mass casualty treatment for radiation and trauma.

Use of a high impact conventional or non-conventional weapon from the air (such as a suicide airplane attack).

NUCLEAR

Weapon launched by aircraft, ship, submarine, vehicle bomb.

Large loss of life and property and mass casualties from radiation exposure, contamination.

Mass casualty treatment for radiation by mobile emergency treatment centers.

EXPLOSIVE

Explosion occurs when package or letter is opened.

CHEMICAL

Chemical irritant agent used in riot control.

Burning eyes, coughing, eye closure, respiratory discomfort.

EXPLOSIVES

Timing fuse, electronic timers, remote triggers or motion sensors used in detonation.

BACTERIA

Highly infectious, contagious bacterial disease. Almost 100 percent fatality rate in pneumonic plague and a 50 percent rate in bubonic plague if untreated.

20-60 percent fatality rate for pneumonic when treated within 18-24 hours of symptom onset.

Death 2-4 days after symptoms if untreated.

Person-to-person through respiratory droplets.

The bite of an infected flea.

Flu-like symptoms 1-6 days after exposure.

Pneumonic progresses to chest discomfort. By day 2 to 4 progresses to respiratory distress and cyanosis.

Enlarged lymph nodes, which often turn black.

Antibiotics highly effective if given within 24 hours of first symptoms.

There is no vaccine in the U.S.

Sensitive to sunlight and heat and does not survive long outside its host.

Bacterium easy to produce. Easily disseminated by aerosol.

BACTERIA

Normally not fatal. 1-3 percent fatality rate if left untreated.

Relapsing symptoms may occur.

Easily inhaled if airborne.

Ingestion of contaminated milk.

Human-to-human and tick bite transmission is rare.

Flu-like symptoms.

Antibiotic treatment — most effective when initiated within 3 days of illness.

Isolate infected animals.

Resistant to heat and many disinfectants.

Easily airborne.

TOXIN

A potent protein toxin derived from the beans of the castor plant. Very toxic to human cells.

Mortality rates are high.

Ingestion, deliberate injection (assassination attempts), inhalation (deliberate aerosol releases).

Ingestion: severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, thirst, headache, sore throat, dilation of pupils within few hours of ingestion. Death can occur within days.

Inhalation: weakness, fever, cough, nausea, chest tightness, pulmonary edema 8-24 hours after inhalation. Severe respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse within 36-72 hours.

Supportive for respiratory failure and dehydration.

Can be produced relatively easily and inexpensively.

Is extremely toxic by several exposure routes.

CHEMICAL

Chemical nerve agent, high mortality. Oil-like liquid, which can be released as an aerosol or mixed with other liquids.

Inhalation, ingestion, or exposure through skin or eyes, to aerosol

Pinpoint pupils, excessive secretions, seizures, convulsions, death.

Evaporates same rate as water. Moderately difficult to manufacture, some ingredients hard to obtain.

EXPLOSIVE

Timing fuse, electronic timers, remote triggers or motion sensors used in detonation, or by suicide of terrorist perpetrator.

VIRUS

Infectious and contagious disease unique to humans. Historic case fatality rate of 30 percent.

Spreads person-to-person or by aerosol.

Flu-like symptoms 12-14 days after exposure, followed by rash. Forms pus-filled lesions that crust over. Differs from chickenpox in that lesions are at the same stage on all parts of the body. Rash is denser on face and extremities and can appear on palms and soles.

Vaccination within four days of exposure.

The U.S. has a small stockpile of vaccine.

Isolation of patients.

Traditional disinfectants.

Easy to disseminate via aerosol.

High infective rate, long incubation period and relatively high rate of mortality contribute to its effectiveness as a weapon. Early identification vital.

CHEMICAL

Chemical nerve agent. High mortality. Oil-like liquid, which can be released as an aerosol or mixed with other liquids.

Inhalation, ingestion, or exposure through skin or eyes, to aerosol

Pinpoint pupils, excessive secretions, seizures, convulsions, death.

Remove agent from skin with soap and water, flush eyes. Remove contaminated clothes. Antidotes available.

Hard to manufacture.

TOXIN

Ingestion. Inhalation following an intentional aerosol release.

No person-to-person transmission.

3-12 hours. Ingestion: nausea, vomiting, profuse watery diarrhea.

No specific treatment, drug therapy under investigation. Supportive respiratory treatment and fluid replacement.

CHEMICAL

Chemical nerve agent, high mortality. Oil-like liquid, which can be released as an aerosol or mixed with other liquids.

Inhalation, ingestion, or exposure through skin or eyes, to aerosol

Pinpoint pupils, excessive secretions, seizures, convulsions, death

Remove agent from skin with water and soap, flush eyes. Remove contaminated clothes. Call 911. Antidotes available.

CHEMICAL

Chemical irritant agent used in riot control.

Burning eyes, coughing, eye closure, respiratory discomfort.

Remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin with soap and water. Flush eyes.

Non-lethal weapon used in crowd control.

BACTERIA

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Highly infectious flu-like disease, 5-15 percent fatalities if not treated. For inhalation, 30-60 percent fatality rate if left untreated.

Not transmitted person-to-person,

Transmitted by aerosol and numerous habitat vectors. (ticks, flies, mosquitoes).

Abrupt onset of flu-like symptoms 1-10 days after exposure. Dry cough, chest pain, pneumonia, progressive weakness, sepsis and organ failure.

Ulcer usually forms at bite site.

Treatable with antibiotics.

No vaccine available for general use. (IND status) New drug under investigation.

Susceptible to a 10 percent bleach solution.

Body surfaces can be cleaned with soap and water.

Thrives in cold moist areas.

Extremely infectious — It only takes 10 organisms to infect a person.

Easily disseminated.

EXPLOSIVE

Any conventional object used in an unconventional manner to produce maximum loss of life, destruction and disruption, such as a large airliner or motor vehicle.

Hijacked craft or vehicle exploded near target either remotely or by suicide of perpetrator.

Maximum disruption, loss of life and damage. Weapons readily available.

CHEMICAL

Nerve agent with very high mortality rate.

Remove agent from skin with soap and water, flush eyes. Remove contaminated clothes. Call 911. Antidotes available.

Hard to manufacture. Very persistent after dispersal.