Poxviruses and Bioterrorism Defense Flashcards
Large DNA virus
Humans are only reservoir
Incubation period of 2-3 weeks
Smallpox
Small Pox Eradication possible because
1) humans are only host
2) highly effective vaccine
3) all cases are clinically evident (no asymptomatic carriers)
Smallpox s/s
Fever, prostration and characteristic pustular rash
Extensive scarring results
All cases are clinically apparent (no subclinical cases)
Mild case=alistrim (last case in 1976)
Smallpox Live attenuated vaccine (vaccinia)
Because of long incubation period, can vaccinate after exposure (immunity is effective in 10 days)
DO NOT vaccinate immunosuppressed people
gram positive, non-motile soil bacterium
spores can survive for decades
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis infections
Cutaneous
GI (rare)
Inhalation
Gram negative bacillus that infects prairie dogs and rats, transmitted by fleas
Plague
Bubonic (bite)
Pneumonic (inhaled) –> greater potential as biothreat
NO VACCINE
CANNOT be spread from person to person
CAN be used as aerosol or in waterborne outbreaks
Highly infectious (infectious does=10 organisms)
Tularemia
Tularemia s/s
Fever, LAD, eschar at site of infection
NO DRUGS for rx
Can be weaponized for aerosol transmission; many readily person to person transmitted
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
Includes Arenaviruses (i.e. Lassa, Machupo), Bunyaviruses, Flaviviruses (i.e. Dengue), Filoviruses (Ebola, Marburg)
Moderately virulent and transmissible
Moderate morbidity/mortality rates
Require enhanced diagnostic capacity
Likely to be genetically enhanced for use as a weapon
Category B
Highly virulent infectious disease
Lack immunity
Could be engineered for mass dissemination
Potential for high morbidty/mortality
Category C
Biowarfare:
use of bioagents by nations to harm enemy military
Bioterrorism:
induces widespread fear and death to a civilian population
can target crops, animals, water
can be sponsored by nations, cults, extremist groups, etc.
Biocrimes:
use microbes to attack individuals
