Sunday, June 19, 2016

An Overview of Bioterrorism

Bioterrorism is the act of releasing toxic biological agents in order to harm a group of people. In our biohazard training courses, we’ll provide course takers with the information they’ll need to handle and treat the effects of a bioterrorism attack. Biological agents such as viruses and bacteria are typically found in nature, but it’s possible for them to be altered by man for malicious intent against a country or group. These agents are separated into three categories, A, B, and C based on how easily they can be spread and the severity of their symptoms.

The most recent bioterrorism attack on the United States occurred shortly after 9/11 by a series of letters sent out containing anthrax powder. These letters arrived in two waves. The first were sent from Trenton, New Jersey to newspapers and media in New York and Boca Raton on September 18, 2001. Only two of these letters were found, but the outbreak of anthrax infections led to the conclusion that there had been others. Two more letters were sent on October 9, again from Trenton, addressed to two Democratic senators at the Capitol in Washington DC. The contaminants in these two letters were stronger than the substance in the first set and the letters contained approximately on gram of almost pure anthrax spores.

Through our biohazard training courses, we can educate individuals on how to prepare for a bioterrorist attack and prevent harmful biological agents from escaping and infecting millions.

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