Disclaimer: All information provided here is for information purposes. Sources: National Geographic Nov, 2002
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
| Agent & Type |
Contagious |
Mortality (If untreated) |
Incubation (days) |
Duration of Illness |
Existence of vaccine |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
| Anthrax (Bacterium) Inhalational |
No |
90-100% |
1-7 |
3-5 Days |
Yes |
Fever, malaise, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, toxemia, cyanosis,
terminal schock |
Antibiotics, supportive care |
| Plague (Bacterium) pneumonic/spetic |
Yes |
100% |
1-6 |
2-14 Days |
Yes (not in US) |
High fever, chills, toxemia, rapid progression of pneumonia, respiratory
failure, cyanosis |
Antibiotics, supportive care |
| Tularemia (Bacterium) Pneumonic/septic |
No |
30-40% |
1-14 |
14 + |
Yes |
Fever, muscle ache, chills, cough, chest discomfort, pain, respiratory
distress, exhaustion prostration |
Antibiotics, supportive care |
| Q Fever (rickettsia) |
No |
0-1% |
10-40 |
2-14 |
Yes |
Fever, chills, headache, weaknes, malaise, sweats |
Antibiotics, antimaarials |
| Smallpox (virus) |
Yes |
30% |
7-17 |
10-28 |
Yes |
Malaise, fever, chills, vomiting, backache, 2-3 days lter, flat red spots
on throat & mouth |
Intravenous hydration, nutrition, pain control. |
| Botulinum (toxin) |
No |
60-100% |
1-5 |
Days to weeks |
yes |
Weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, drooping
eyelids, progressive paralysis, eventual asphyxia |
Intensive medical care in hospital, possible use of ventilator |
| Ricin (toxin) |
No |
Variable |
18-24 hrs |
Days |
No |
Fever, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, kidney failure,
circulatory collapse |
therapy for acute lung injury & pulmonary edema. Ingestion: gastric
lavage, activated charcoal, fluid & electrolyte replacement |
CHEMICAL WEAPONS
| Agent & Type |
Appearance & Odor |
Method of Absorption |
Rate of Action |
Lethal Dose (mg) |
Effects |
Treatment |
| Tabun (nerve agent) |
Colorless to Amber brown liquid; slightly fruity odor |
Skin contact & or inhalation |
Rapid within minutes |
400 (inhaled) 1,000 (skin) |
Runny nose, constricted pupils, tightness in chest, blurred vision, nausea,
convulsions, respiratory paralysis |
Remove victim from contaminated area; remove clothes; wash skin with soapy
water; maintain airway & circulation provide oxygen if seeizing or not
breathing |
| Sarin (nerve agent) |
Colorless liquid; no odor when pure |
Skin contact & or inhalation |
Rapid |
70 (inhaled) 1,700(skin) |
Same as above |
Same as above |
| VX (nerve agent) |
Colorless to amber liquid; no odor when pure |
Skin contact & or inhalation |
Rapid |
50 (inhaled) 10 (skin) |
Same as above |
Same as above |
| Mustard (blister agent) |
Colorless to brownish liquid; garlic odor |
Inhalation |
Delayed for hours, long time complications |
1,500 (inhaled) 4,500 (skin) |
Eye & airway irritation, tearing, chemical skin burns & blisters,
pulmonary edema, respiratory failure |
Same as above |
| Hydrogen Cyanide (blood agent) |
Colorless gas or liquid; odor of bitter almonds |
Inhalation |
Rapid |
2,000 (inhaled) |
Confusion, dizziness, increased breathing & heart rate, convulsions,
asphyxia |
Same as above; seek specific antidotal treatment |
| Phosgene (choking agent) |
Colorless gas; odor of fresh mown hay |
Inhalation |
Immediate to 72 hours |
3,200 (inhaled) |
Eye and airway irritation, pulmonary edme, choking |
Same as above but no specific antidote |
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
| Type of Dispersal |
Materials & Sources |
Effects |
Treatment |
| Nuclear bomb |
Highly enriched uranium, Plutonium (both elements available only through
nuclear weapons programs) |
Massive explosives blast (shockwave), intense heat, electromagnetic pulse
effects, intense radiation near detonation site; death from trauma or significant
radiation sickness from direct ionizing radiation & from fallout |
Ionizing radiation causes no unique disease; treatment depends on type
of radiation, total dose & dose rate, extent of exposure, & factors
such as age & health of victim |
| Dirty Bomb (radiological dispersal device) |
Americium 241 (used in exploratory oil drilling & density gauges)
Cesium137(Industrial radiography gauges, food irradiators) Cobalt60(medical
therapy, industrial irradiators |
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