Bioterrorism

Question 1

define bioterrorism

Answer 1

intentional release of infectious agents for the purpose of harming or killing civilians

Question 2

payload

Answer 2

infective agent

Question 3

munition

Answer 3

protects and maintains potency of the payload

Question 4

most effective dispersion system

Answer 4

aerosol

Question 5

2 most likely types of attack

Answer 5

covert and unannounced

Question 6

5 clues that bioterrorist attack has occurred

Answer 6

1-outbreak of new or rare disease
2-non-endemic distribution
3- off-season occurrence
4- unusual epidemiology/presentation/age distribution/resistance pattern
5- genetically identical pathogens in geographically different areas

Question 7

why are category A agents highest priority? (4)

Answer 7

• easily disseminated/transmitted
• high mortality
• public panic/social disruption
• special attn needed for public health preparedness

Question 8

6 category A agents

Answer 8

BCF YVV
b. anthracis
c. botulinum
f. tularensis
y. pestis
viral major
vector-borne viruses

Question 9

description of category c agents

Answer 9

emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dissemination because of their: availability, ease of production/dissemination, potential for high morbidity and mortality

Question 10

4 elements of bioterrorism PPE

Answer 10

• protective mask (M40 with HEPA)
• battle dress over garment
• protective gloves
• overboots

Question 11

mechanical decontamination

Answer 11

air/water filtration

Question 12

chemical decontamination

Answer 12

M291 skin decontamination kit, soap/water, hypochlorite solution

Question 13

physical decontamination

Answer 13

dry heat (160C x 2 hours), autoclave (121C x 20 minutes), UV radiation