Biological warfare is the use of microorganisms or their toxins in war. They kill or injure people. Bioterrorism will be a major concern in the coming years with these biological weapons. Nations and terrorist groups are conducting research to acquire these agents and ways to use them. There are several modes that they can be used for warfare in a certain concentrated area or to contaminate the environment.
1. Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis is the organism that causes anthrax and it is one of the most powerful weapons of biological warfare. Anthrax spores can be easily mixed into sprays, food or water.
In 2001, mails containing anthrax spore powder had infected 22 people and killed 5.
Bacillus anthracis is the organism that causes anthrax and it is one of the most powerful weapons of biological warfare. Anthrax spores can be easily mixed into sprays, food or water.
In 2001, mails containing anthrax spore powder had infected 22 people and killed 5.
2. Clostridium botulinum
The toxin from this microorganism causes botulism which causes muscle paralysis. It can be spread through air, water, and food.
Reports suggest that this toxin was used by a warfare group during the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931.
The toxin from this microorganism causes botulism which causes muscle paralysis. It can be spread through air, water, and food.
Reports suggest that this toxin was used by a warfare group during the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931.
3. Variola Major
Smallpox is caused by this virus and it is highly infectious. Vaccinations against smallpox have reduced the threat of variola major as biological warfare agents.
It is assumed to have been used against Native Americans and during American Revolutionary War.
Smallpox is caused by this virus and it is highly infectious. Vaccinations against smallpox have reduced the threat of variola major as biological warfare agents.
It is assumed to have been used against Native Americans and during American Revolutionary War.
4. Francisella tularensis
It is a Category A synthetic agent as is easily dispersed, highly infectious and causes death and diseases.
Tularensis was used by the Soviet Army during World War 2.
It is a Category A synthetic agent as is easily dispersed, highly infectious and causes death and diseases.
Tularensis was used by the Soviet Army during World War 2.
5. Ebola virus
Ebola Virus Disease spreads easily from animals to humans. This had invoked ideas to produce it by synthetic means for biological warfare. It has a high fatality rate.
Soviet Union is accused to have produced the virus in the laboratory but there not no reports of usage.
Ebola Virus Disease spreads easily from animals to humans. This had invoked ideas to produce it by synthetic means for biological warfare. It has a high fatality rate.
Soviet Union is accused to have produced the virus in the laboratory but there not no reports of usage.
6. Yersinia pestis
The organism causes pneumonic plague. The disease thus caused can easily spread from one person to another which can eventually cause death.
It is one of the earliest used warfare agents when the Japanese army used it in the 14thcentury.
The organism causes pneumonic plague. The disease thus caused can easily spread from one person to another which can eventually cause death.
It is one of the earliest used warfare agents when the Japanese army used it in the 14thcentury.
7. Marburg virus
The virus belongs to the filovirus family and causes Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever. The host is preferably an African fruit bat. The virus has a high fatality rate.
Soviet Union had conducted research to isolate the virus to be used in aerosol form.
The virus belongs to the filovirus family and causes Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever. The host is preferably an African fruit bat. The virus has a high fatality rate.
Soviet Union had conducted research to isolate the virus to be used in aerosol form.
8. Bunyavirus
Nairovirus, Phlebovirus, and Hantavirus come under this classification and has a mortality rate of 50%. It causes fever. Arthropods and rodents act as hosts.
Over 3000 soldiers died due to Hantavirus infection in the Korean war, but there was no evidence of synthetic warfare.
Nairovirus, Phlebovirus, and Hantavirus come under this classification and has a mortality rate of 50%. It causes fever. Arthropods and rodents act as hosts.
Over 3000 soldiers died due to Hantavirus infection in the Korean war, but there was no evidence of synthetic warfare.
9. Aflatoxin
The toxin is produced by many species of fungi which has the capacity to cause cell death. But the toxicity is less and thus huge amounts will have to be used for war.
UNSCOM accused in 1995 that the Iraqi army was using ammunitions with Aflatoxins.
Ponder if the Novel Corona Virus could be an artificially created mutated Bioweapon.
The toxin is produced by many species of fungi which has the capacity to cause cell death. But the toxicity is less and thus huge amounts will have to be used for war.
UNSCOM accused in 1995 that the Iraqi army was using ammunitions with Aflatoxins.
Ponder if the Novel Corona Virus could be an artificially created mutated Bioweapon.
