What are Biological Agents?
Biological agents are viruses, bacteria, and fungi which have potential applications in biological warfare or bioterrorism. A wide range of infectious agents could potentially be deployed as biological agents, and several nations have conducted extensive research programs to identify such agents and develop methods of responding to biological attacks. Like nuclear weapons and chemical agents, biological agents are considered weapons of mass destruction. Several features distinguish a biological agent from an ordinary infectious or disease-causing organism. Biological agents are often lethal, and they are highly effective, even in small amounts. They are also extremely difficult to kill, and capable of dispersing themselves widely and rapidly across a large area. They may act in a wide variety of ways. Some release toxins which kill people and animals, while others attack the body in some way, causing nervous system damage, acute hemorrhage, pulmonary problems, diarrhea, and other sympt
Biological agents are organisms or toxins that cause illness or death people, livestock, and crops. An example of a biological agent is anthrax spores.Because biological agents cannot necessarily be detected and may take time to grow and cause a disease, it is almost impossible to know that a biological attack has occurred. If government officials become aware of a biological attack through an informant or warning by terrorists, they would most likely instruct citizens to either seek shelter where they are and seal the premises or evacuate immediately.A person affected by a biological agent requires the immediate attention of professional medical personnel. Some agents are contagious, and victims may need to be quarantined. Also, some medical facilities may not receive victims for fear of contaminating the hospital population.
Biological agents are organisms or toxins that cause illness or death people, livestock, and crops. An example of a biological agent is anthrax spores. Because biological agents cannot necessarily be detected and may take time to grow and cause a disease, it is almost impossible to know that a biological attack has occurred. If government officials become aware of a biological attack through an informant or warning by terrorists, they would most likely instruct citizens to either seek shelter where they are and seal the premises or evacuate immediately. A person affected by a biological agent requires the immediate attention of professional medical personnel. Some agents are contagious, and victims may need to be quarantined. Also, some medical facilities may not receive victims for fear of contaminating the hospital population.
