Viral agents as biological weapons and agents of bioterrorism

Multiple viral agents have been classified by the CDC as potential weapons of mass destruction or agents for biologic terrorism. Agents such as smallpox, viral hemorrhagic fever viruses, agents of viral encephalitis, and others are of concern because they are highly infectious and relatively easy to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of the medical sciences Vol. 323; no. 6; p. 316
Main Authors: Bronze, Michael S, Huycke, Mark M, Machado, Linda J, Voskuhl, Gene W, Greenfield, Ronald A
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.06.2002
Subjects:
Arenaviridae Infections - transmission
Bioterrorism
Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine - transmission
Hantavirus Infections - transmission
Humans
Paramyxoviridae Infections - transmission
Paramyxovirinae
Smallpox - transmission
Virus Diseases - transmission
ISSN:0002-9629
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:Multiple viral agents have been classified by the CDC as potential weapons of mass destruction or agents for biologic terrorism. Agents such as smallpox, viral hemorrhagic fever viruses, agents of viral encephalitis, and others are of concern because they are highly infectious and relatively easy to produce. Although dispersion might be difficult, the risk is magnified by the fact that large populations are susceptible to these agents and only limited treatment and vaccination strategies exist. Although the risk of large-scale bioterrorism using viral agents is small, public health programs and health care providers must be prepared for this potentially devastating impact on public health.
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ISSN:0002-9629
DOI:10.1097/00000441-200206000-00004