Plague Research Paper

The plague, which is caused by Yersinia pestis, a gram-negative rod-shaped, non-motile, non-sporulating bacterium has a great historical significance. Plague is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans by rodents (e.g., rats, mice, ground squirrels). Fleas that live on the rodents can transmit the bacteria to humans, who then suffer from the bubonic form of plague. The bubonic form may progress to the septicemic and pneumonic forms. Pneumonic plague would be the predominant form having potential to be used as a BW, due to its ease of aerosol dissemination (Heat et al, 1998).

This is the only weapon besides smallpox, which can cause devastation beyond those persons who are initially infected. With modern air travel, containing an outbreak of
Now we see the evolution of far more contagious pneumonic variety as a cause of human epidem¬ics. Direct human exposure to aerosolized plague bacilli was the most effective way to cause human illness and death as reported previously. The biological weapons programs of the USA and the former Soviet Union have pursued aerosol transmission capabilities for plague (First, 2002). Although Soviets had intercontinental ballistic missile warheads containing plague bacilli available for launch before 1985, yet, virtually insurmountable problems arose in the production and aerosol dispersal of substantial quantities of plague organisms by modern weapon systems (Davis, 1999). Despite these difficulties, plague is viewed as a high-risk disease for bio-weapons production (Henderson,
Death often occurs as a result of paralysis of pharyngeal and diaphragmatic muscles, followed by respiratory arrest (Bhalla and Warheit, 2004).Botulinum toxin poses a major bio-weapon threat because of its extreme potency and lethality; its ease of production, transport, and misuse; and the need for prolonged intensive care among affected persons (Biological and chemical terrorism, 2000).An outbreak of botulism constitutes a medical emergency that requires prompt provision of botulinum antitoxin and, often, mechanical ventilation, and it constitutesa public health emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent additional cases. Timely recognition of a botulism outbreak begins with an astute clinician who quickly notifies public health officials. Botulinum toxin is the most poisonous substance known (National institute of occupational safety and health,