Viral agents as biological weapons and agents of bioterrorism.
Multiple viral agents have been classified by the CDC as potential weapons of mass destruction or agents for biologic terrorism. Agents such as smallpox, viral hemorrhagic fever viruses, agents of viral encephalitis, and others are of concern because they are highly infectious and relatively easy to produce. Although dispersion might be difficult, the risk is magnified by the fact that large populations are susceptible to these agents and only limited treatment and vaccination strategies exist. Although the risk of large-scale bioterrorism using viral agents is small, public health programs and health care providers must be prepared for this potentially devastating impact on public health.
Bronze
Michael S
MS
Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73190, USA. michael-bronze@ouhsc.edu
Huycke
Mark M
MM
Machado
Linda J
LJ
Voskuhl
Gene W
GW
Greenfield
Ronald A
RA
D001117:Arenaviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission; D023482:Bioterrorism; D004685:Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / Q000635:transmission; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission; D018098:Paramyxovirinae; D012899:Smallpox / Q000635:transmission; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000635:transmission*