Biological weapons are lethal materials, which are derived from pathogenic organisms, or substances that are artificially manufactured with the intention of using them to incapacitate and interfere with the biological processes against whom they are being used. These chemicals either kill or debilitate the opponent. Biological weapons may be deployed to target living organisms such as humans, vegetation and animals. Air, water and soil can also be contaminated with the use of such biological weapons.

 

Various types of microorganisms can be used as biological weapons. These weapons of mass destruction are easily attainable, highly lethal and do not cost much. They can be dispersed over a wide area in aerosol form and they are very contagious.

 

Some potential microorganisms that are capable of being used as biological weapons and their effect on people:

Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis):

These microbes are found in the soil and can be used as biological weapons against humans and animals. These microbes enter the body through inhalation or through open wounds and cause conditions like Pulmonary Anthrax Septicemia and flu-like symptoms.

 

Clostridium botulinum:

Soil is the natural habitat of these microbes and can be used as biological weapons to target humans. These microbes contaminate the food and water. The environment also gets polluted with these microbes. These microorganisms invade the human body through inhalation and by way of contaminated food and water. The effect of this biological weapon on humans is quite severe. It leads to double vision and vertigo, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, breathing and speaking and muscle weakness among others.

 

Clostridium perfringens:

These microbes dwell in the soil and in the intestine of the humans and other animals. Use of these microorganisms as a biological weapon is done to target mainly humans and domestic animals. Opens wounds are the way in for these microbes. Used as biological weapons these microbes can cause severe cramps in the abdomen, diarrhea and gas gangrene.

 

Ricin (Protein toxin):

 

These microbes are extracted from castor bean plants and may be used as biological weapons to principally target humans. The food, water and the environment gets contaminated with these microbes. Humans get affected through inhalation and by consuming the infected food and water. These microbes can also enter humans through injections. Once inside, these microbes can cause watery and bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, weakness, fever, cough, pulmonary edema and vomiting.

 

Smallpox (variola virus):

 

These organisms are not found in their natural habitat anymore. They have been eradicated long time back. However, they can be made available from laboratory stockpiles. Humans are the main target host of these biological weapons. These microbes invade the body through inhalation and also infect bodily fluids. This virus can cause vomiting, rash on tongue and in the mouth, rash and bumps on skin and persistent fever.

Probable ways in which biological weapons can be deployed:

• Bombs or spray tanks could be used to generate clouds of biological material over specified targets or to cover wide areas.

 

• Submarines, balloons, aircraft and surface vessels could be used to launch similar attacks.

 

• Air, water and food supplies could be directly contaminated.

 

• Covert operations can also be utilized to contaminate water, food and air ventilating systems.

 

• Feeds, raw garbage, biologics can be used to introduce and spread animal diseases. These tools of warfare have little or no chance of detection.

Protection against biological weapons:

• Specially manufactured air filtration masks

 

• Various types of dust respirators

 

• Cotton handkerchief (8 layers)

 

• Bath towel (2 layers)

 

• Toilet paper (3 layers)

 

• Filter units at place of work