|
|
Disease (type) |
Likely Methods of
Dissemination |
Transmissibility
Man to Man |
Infectivity |
Incubation Time* |
Duration of
Illness |
Lethality |
Persistence |
Vaccination |
Antimicrobial
Therapy |
| Anthrax - Inhalation
(bacteria)
|
Spores in aerosols |
No |
Moderate |
1-6 days |
3-5 days |
High |
Spores are highly stable |
Yes |
Effective early;
Otherwise little effect |
| Brucellosis (bacteria)
|
1. Aerosol 2. Sabotage (food supply)
|
Via contact with lesions |
High |
5-60 days |
Weeks to years |
Low |
Long persistence in wet
soil and food |
No |
Moderately effective |
| Plague - pneumonic
(bacteria)
|
1. Aerosol 2. Infected vectors
|
High |
High |
2-3 days |
1-2 days |
Very High |
Less important because of
high transmissibility |
Yes |
Moderately effective |
| Tularemia (bacteria)
|
Aerosol |
No |
High |
2-10 days |
2 or more weeks |
Moderate if untreated |
Not very stable |
Yes |
Effective |
| Q fever (rickettsiae)
|
1. Aerosol 2. Sabotage (food supply)
|
No |
High |
10-20 days |
2 days to 2 weeks |
Very low |
Stable |
Yes |
Effective |
| Botulinum toxin
(toxin)
|
1. Sabotage (food / water supply)
2.
Aerosol
|
No |
|
Variable (hours to days) |
24-72 hours; Months if
lethal |
High |
Stable |
Yes |
Not effective |
| Trichothecene mycotoxins
(toxin)
|
1. Aerosol 2. Sabotage
|
No |
|
Hours |
Hours |
High |
Stable |
No |
Not effective |
| Ricin (toxin)
|
Aerosol |
No |
|
Hours |
Days |
High |
Stable |
Under development |
Not effective |
| Smallpox (virus)
|
Aerosol |
High |
High |
10-17 days |
1-2 weeks |
High |
Stable |
Yes |
Not effective |
| * Incubation applies to
infectious diseases. With toxins, it's application refers
tothe period between exposure and appearance of the
symptoms and signs of poisoning. |
Medical
Management of Biological Agent Patients