Characteristics and prophylactic strategy against bioterrorism / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Postal distribution of anthrax spores in 2001 in the USA has raised public health concern about terrorist attack using biological agents. The attack challenged medical preparation and scientific understanding of the epidemiology of biothreat agents. There is an urgent need for public health and medical personnel to have a clear understanding of the possible agents and appropriate therapy or prophlaxis. This article provides a brief overview of the definition and nature of bioterrorism, the list of pathogens likely to be used by bioterrorists to adversely affect human health, the characteristics of category A agents including bacillus anthrax, Yersinice pestis, smallpox virus, hemorrhagic fever virus, botulinum toxin and appropriate measures to prevent bioterrorism or to limit its consequences.