Treating Chemical and Biological Agent Casualties

Lesson 4: Biological Agents

4-7. EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

When used by an enemy, biological warfare is the intentional application of live agents or toxins to cause death and disease among personnel, animals, or plants or to cause deterioration of materials.

a. Live Agents.

(1) These are living organisms that can be delivered directly (artillery or aircraft spray) or through a vector such as a flea or tick.

 

(2) Only a few organisms are needed to cause infection by some agents. Being small enhances the ability of the agents to spread great distances, and float into places that are not airtight.

 

(3) Time is required for agents to become ingested and multiply enough to overcome the body's immune system. Depending on the organism, incubation period may take hours, days, or even weeks.

 

(4) Live agents have life cycles in which they grow, reproduce, age, and die. They usually require protection and nutrition from a host organism while they are alive. Weather conditions determine if they will be reduced in number or thrive successfully. Some bacterial agents produce spores that can form protective coats and survive for longer periods of time, however most live agents last for one day.

 

(5) Neither of the five physical senses can detect live agents, therefore the first indication of a biological attack is a sick soldier. Some of these diseases may spread either directly, or indirectly from soldier to soldier.

 

(6) Due to the incubation period and life cycle, likely areas for live agent use are in the combat service support (CSS) area.

b. Toxins.

(1) Toxins are by-products (poisons) produced by plants, animals, or microorganisms. Today's technology provides for the production of large quantities of many toxins. These are poisonous

compounds that do not grow, reproduce, or die after they have been dispersed.

 

(2) Toxins are more easily controlled than live organisms.

 

(3) Field monitors to immediately detect the presence of toxins in the area are not available.

 

(4) Signs and symptoms from exposure to toxins are similar to those of a chemical attack, but the first aid treatment for chemicals will not work against toxins.

 

(5) Lethal or injury downwind hazard zones for toxins may be far greater than those of chemical agents.

 

(6) Toxins can be dispensed alone or with other carriers or agents.

 

(7) Some toxins have symptoms that mimic other illness or chemical casualty symptoms. They may include any of the following:

(a) Tingling of skin, numbness, paralysis, or convulsions.

 

(b) Dizziness, mental confusion, or double or blurred vision.

 

(c) Coughing.

 

(d) Fever, aching muscles, and fatigue.

 

(e) Difficulty in swallowing.

 

(f) Shock.

 

(g) Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

 

(h) Bleeding from body openings, or blood in urine, stool or sputum (spit).