| Popis: |
This chapter describes bioterrorism (BT), the deliberate use of microbial agents or their toxins as weapons for political gain. BT represents a persistent global threat due to the widespread availability of biothreat agents and opportunities for terrorists to deploy them against civilian targets. BT agents are considered weapons of mass terror because of their potential for large-scale morbidity and mortality. BT agents are unlike conventional, chemical, and nuclear weapons because they are associated with a clinical latency period during which transmission may occur and detection is difficult. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified BT threats into priority groupings based on their feasibility for deployment and their potential for mortality, morbidity, and public health impact. |
