Anthrax–
What is it
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The spore produces a toxin that can be fatal.
How does it spread
The spores can spread by inhalation or ingestion.
Symptoms
Usually symptoms appear within seven days. Inhalation anthrax infection can begin like a common cold before acute symptoms such as severe breathing problems and shock. Infection by consuming contaminated food is characterized by inflammation of the intestinal tract, leading to vomiting of blood and severe diarrhea. Death can occur with 24 hours of the onset of acute symptoms.
Treatment
Antibiotics, including penicillin. A delay in the use of antiobiotics—even in terms of hours—may lessen chances for survival.
Prevention
Vaccine only available to military at this time.
Plague–
What is it
The causative agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, is found in rodents and their fleas.
How does it spread
The plague bacterium could be disseminated by aerosol, resulting in the pneumonic form with the potential for secondary spread of cases through respiratory droplets of those infected.
Symptoms
Within one to six days after exposure, the first signs of illness are fever, headache and weakness, which can lead to shock and death within two to four days.
Treatment
Antibiotics within 24 hours of first symptoms.
Smallpox–
What is it
The variola virus, commonly known as smallpox, was eradicated from the world in 1977, except for stocks of it kept in two World Health Organization reference labs. It is strongly suspected that other labs are holding smallpox in violation of WHO policy. Smallpox comes in two forms: variola minor or the more deadly variola major.
How does it spread
The smallpox virus is relatively stable and the dose required for infection is small, making it a candidate for aerosol release. It could then be further spread by the saliva droplets of infected people.
Symptoms
The incubation period is about 12 days following exposure. Symptoms include fever, fatigue and aches, followed by a rash with lesions and can lead to death within the first two weeks of the illness.
Treatment
No proven treatment at this time.
Prevention
Vaccine*
VHF–
What is it
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) refers to a group of illnesses caused by several distinct families of viruses. While some of these viruses cause relatively mild illnesses, others cause severe, life-threatening ones, such as Ebola.
How does it spread
Many VHF viruses are known to naturally reside in an animal or insect host, however the hosts of some VHF viruses remain unknown, including that of Ebola and Marburg viruses. Some VHF viruses can be transmitted by the body fluids of infected people.
Symptoms
Reactions vary depending on the type of VHF, but symptoms often include fever, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches and exhaustion. Severe cases cause bleeding under the skin and in internal organs.
Treatment
Generally there are no treatments other than supportive therapy for VHFs.
Prevention
Vaccines are available for only two VHFs: yellow fever and Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
Ricin–
What is it
Ricin is a potent protein toxin derived from the beans of the castor plant. Castor beans are available worldwide, and the toxin is fairly easily produced.
How does it spread
Ricin is extremely toxic by several routes of exposure, including the respiratory route. When ingested, ricin causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms followed by vascular collapse and death.
Symptoms
Weakness, fever, cough and pulmonary edema occur within 18 to 24 hours after inhalation exposure, followed by severe respiratory distress and death from hypoxemia in 36 to 72 hours.
Treatment
Management is supportive and should include treatment for pulmonary edema.
Prevention
No current vaccine. Protective mask is effective in preventing exposure through inhalation.
Botulism–
What is it
Botulism toxin—the most potent lethal substance known to man—is made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
How does it spread
Botulism toxin can be inhaled or ingested via contaminated food or water.
Symptoms
Double vision, slurred speech, dry mouth and muscle weakness, which also starts at the top of the body and works its way down. Symptoms begin from six hours to two weeks after exposure. Death can be caused by paralysis of the breathing muscles within 24 hours.
Treatment
Botulism anti-toxin, supplied by the CDC.
Prevention
Vaccine — not available for general use. Properly heat food to destroy toxin.
*A new vaccine will be manufactured with availability in 2003. A limited amount of old vaccine is stored at the CDC stockpile for emergency use.
Source: CDC and Medical Mgt. of Biological Casualties Hanbook, U.S. Army Medical Research