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Biological terrorism is the use of biologic agents
(bacteria, viruses, parasites, or biological toxins) to intentionally
produce disease or intoxication in a susceptible population
to meet terrorist aims.
- The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have listed a group
of diseases that are of highest concern because they have one
or more of these characteristics: can be easily spread person
to person; can cause high mortality; can cause public panic and
fear; or can require special action for public health preparedness.
This "Category A" list includes the biological agents
that cause anthrax, plague, smallpox, botulism, tularemia, and
the viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola.
- Smallpox: Questions &
Answers
Chemical terrorism
is the use of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical substances (e.g.,
nerve agents, mustard agents, hydrogen cyanide, arsines, psychotomimetic
agents, toxins, etc.) to intentionally cause death, temporary loss
of performance, or permanent injury to people and animals in a susceptible
population to meet terrorist aims.
Radiological terrorism
could involve introducing radioactive material into the food or
water supply, using explosives to scatter radioactive materials,
bombing or destroying a nuclear facility, or exploding a small nuclear
device.
- CDC
has a radiation studies program, which looks at the relationship
between environmental radiation exposures and public health. CDC's
work in this area includes radiation emergency response and energy-related
health research.
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