| Mode of
Spread
as weapon |
Contagious |
Incubation
period |
Symptoms |
Vaccine |
Treatment |
|
ANTHRAX |
| Aerosol |
No |
Within
7 days |
Fever,
malaise, fatigue, occasional cough and chest discomfort evolving into
severe respiratory distress |
Yes,
but not for the public. Used only by the military |
Antibiotics,
if administered prior to symptom onset |
| Expert
opinion: |
"It is
deadly. It's one of a few pathogens that forms spores that are hardy
and resistant to environmental stresses."
-
Ramond Zillnskas, Senior scientist at the Monterey Institute of
International studies. |
| Mode of
Spread
as weapon |
Contagious |
Incubation
period |
Symptoms |
Vaccine |
Treatment |
|
SMALLPOX |
| Aerosol |
Yes;
last diagnosed case occurred in Somalia in 1977 |
Averages
12-14 days |
Acute
onset of fever, headache, abdominal pain and severe muscle aches; rash
later appears, scabs over and forms pits and scars. |
Yes,
exists in laboratories but not used anywhere in the world |
No
treatment for virus. Hospital care and antibiotics for secondary infection |
| Expert
opinion: |
"It has the
potential to spread uncontrollably around the world. It's hard to
believe a nation would supply such a virus to a terrorist."
-
Ramond Zillnskas |
| Mode of
Spread
as weapon |
Contagious |
Incubation
period |
Symptoms |
Vaccine |
Treatment |
|
BOTULISM |
| Aerosol,
sabotage of food supply or water supply |
No |
12
to 72 hours |
Double
or blurred vision, speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and associated
sore throat, muscle weakness; may progress to paralysis of the arms,
trunks and legs. |
Yes,
but not for the public. Used for lab workers and the military |
Ventilator
to aid breathing; antitoxins can halt disease progress and shorten
symptoms |
| Expert
opinion: |
"To weaponize
it, for a mass effect, is not easy to do."
-
Frank Cillufo, terrorism expert at the Center for Strategic &
International Studies, Washington, DC |
| Mode of
Spread
as weapon |
Contagious |
Incubation
period |
Symptoms |
Vaccine |
Treatment |
|
TULAREMIA |
| Aerosol |
No |
1
to 14 days |
Weight
loss, fever, chills, fatugue, chest discomfort, dry cougth; swollen lymph
nodes |
Yes,
but not for the public. Used for lab workers |
Antibiotics |
| Expert
opinion: |
"It is very
infectious... The organim is very small and it can stay in the air for a
very long time."
-
Lee Borenstein, microbiologist in Los Angeles County Public Health
Laboratory molecular epidemiology department |
| Mode of
Spread
as weapon |
Contagious |
Incubation
period |
Symptoms |
Vaccine |
Treatment |
|
PNEUMONIC
PLAGUE |
| Aerosol |
Yes |
1
to 6 days |
High
fever, chillls, headache, cough with blood sputum, severe pneumonia and
sepsis |
No
known effective vaccine |
Antibiotics
may help if administered early |
| Expert
opinion: |
"The agents
that concern me are the ones that can spread from person to person.
Pneumonic plague is a major risk for spreading, by spittle or a
cough."
-
Lee Borenstein |
|
Sources:
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Federation
American Scientists
Henry
L. Stimson Center
Center
for Civilian Biodefense Studies, Johns Hopkins University
Los
Angeles Times, October 9, 2001
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