UNIT 3 - Bioterrorism

Question 1

Anthrax

Answer 1

Bacillus Anthracis

Commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates

3 forms: Cutaneous, inhalation, gastro-intestinal

Question 2

Plague

Answer 2

Yersinia Pestis

Types: bubonic, septicemic, pneumonic

Incubation period = 1-7 days

Question 3

Small pox

Answer 3

Variola

Incubation = 7 - 17 days

Question 4

Ricin

Answer 4

A poison made from waste left over from the process of castor beans

Can be in the form of
powder, mist, or pellets.

Can be dissolved in water or weak acid

Respiratory distress
Vomiting and diarrhea
Skin irritation
Leads to death

Question 5

Phosgene

Answer 5

Chemical manufactured as warfare agent

It is colorless when solid and yellow in liquid form.

It is a corrosive agent.

Exposure it through skin contact, inhalation, water and food

Question 6

Bromine

Answer 6

A naturally occurring chemical that is liquid at room temperature.

It is brownish-red in colour with a bleach-like odour.

It dissolves in water.

• Cough
• Difficulty in breathing
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Watery eyes

Question 7

Sarin

Answer 7

Human made chemical warfare agent

Classified as a nerve agent.

Was originally developed in Germany in 1938.

Is a clear, colourless, tasteless liquid with no
odour.

Affects nerves, nerves has

Question 8

Category A

Answer 8

Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)

Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)

Plague (Yersinia pestis)

Smallpox (variola major)

Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)

Viral hemorrhagic fevers, including
    o Filoviruses (Ebola, Marburg)
   o Arenaviruses (Lassa, Machupo)

Question 9

Category B

Answer 9

Brucellosis (Brucella species)

Epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens

Food safety threats (Salmonella species,

Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella)

Glanders (Burkholderia mallei)

Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)

Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci)

Q fever (Coxiella burnetii)

Ricin toxin from Ricinus communis (castor beans)

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Typhus fever (Rickettsia prowazekii)

Viral encephalitis (alphaviruses, such as eastern equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine 
encephalitis, and western equine encephalitis])

Water safety threats (Vibrio cholerae, Cryptosporidium parvum)