title: [War and medicine in a culture of peace. 2. Synopsis of biological weapons].
abstract: Biological warfare has a long history. Despite the 1972 international convention and several attempts at biological weapon eradication, some countries and non governmental groups still retain some of these agents. According to their potential use, they belong to bioterrorism or to massive destruction weapons. Any biological warfare put the civilian medical and paramedical assets at the frontline and at high risk for being rapidly contaminated. The prompt recognition of a bioterrorist attack and the swift identification of the agent can lead to implementation of vaccines, chemoprophylaxis, appropriate treatment and sanitary measures.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatopathologie, Université de Liège.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Piérard
mesh_terms: D001694:Biological Warfare; D023482:Bioterrorism; D004189:Disaster Planning; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D011640:Public Policy; D012924:Social Conditions; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines