MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 123096_sep96_decls28_0026.txt
Page: 0026
Total Pages: 40

Subject: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL                     

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003203

Folder Title: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL                                                     

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         47




                                        UNCLASSIFIED









                                      SECTION II



                     MEDXCAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL


                                SPECIFIC THREAT AGENTS


                                       ANT



           CLINI.-14 SYNDRQUE

              Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthgacis.
           Under natural conditions, humans become infected by contact
           with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

              Human anthrax usually is manifested by cutaneous lesions. A
           biological warfare attack with anthrax spores delivered by
           aerosol would cause inhalation anthrax, an extraordinarily rare
           form of the naturally occurring disease.

              Clinica@A=@: The disease begins after an incubation
           period varying from 1-6 days, presumably dependent upon the
           dose of inhaled organisms. Onset is gradual and nonspecific,
           with fever, malaise, and fatigue, sometimes is association with
           a non-productive cough and mild chest discomfort. In some
           cases, there may be a short period of improvement. The initial
           symptoms are followed in 2-3 days by the abrupt development of
           severe respiratory distress with dyspnea, diaphoresis, stridor,
           and cyanosis. Physical findings may include evidence of
           pleural effusions, edema of the chest wall, and meningitis.
           Chest X-ray reveals a dramatically widened mediastinum, often
           with pleural effusions, but typically without infiltrates.
           Shock and death usually follow within 24-36 hours of
           respiratory distress onset.




                 a"-,             y Finci@: Laboratory evaluation will
              reveal a neutrophilic leukocytosis. When pleural effusions
              and evidence of meningitis are present, pleural and
              cerebrospinal fluids may be hemorrhagic.

                          An epidemic of inhalation
              anthrax in its early stage with non-specific symptoms could


                                           4




                                         UNCLASSIFIED

Document 40 f:/Week-36/BX003203/MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL/medical defense against biological material:12179609282229
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Folder Seq # = 47
Subject = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996