Biodefense and Bioterrorism Summary A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death. These germs are often found in nature. But they can sometimes be made more harmful by increasing their ability to cause disease, spread, or resist medical treatment. Biological agents spread through the air, water, or in food. Some can also spread from person to person. They can be very hard to detect. They don’t cause illness for several hours or days. Scientists worry that anthrax, botulism, Ebola and other hemorrhagic fever viruses, plague, or smallpox could be used as biological agents. Biodefense uses medical measures to protect people against bioterrorism. This includes medicines and vaccinations. It also includes medical research and preparations to defend against bioterrorist attacks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Specifics Abrin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Arsine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chlorine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cyanide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Key Facts about Tularemia Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Lewisite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nitrogen Mustards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Phosgene Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ricin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Riot Control Agents Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sarin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sodium Azide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Soman Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Strychnine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sulfur Mustard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tabun Centers for Disease Control and Prevention VX Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related Issues Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness Department of Homeland Security http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/chemical-emergency National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Mass Psychogenic Illness American Academy of Family Physicians Respirator Fact Sheet National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics and Research Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Start Here Biological Threats Department of Homeland Security Bioterrorism American Academy of Family Physicians In the Event of Bioterrorism: Protecting Families from Deadly Diseases American Academy of Pediatrics Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Department of Homeland Security Department of Homeland Security National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Tularemia National Institutes of Health Images NIAID Biodefense Image Library National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Journal Articles Biodefense and Bioterrorism Encyclopedia Tularemia
