Module 3

Biological
warfare agents

©WHO/Olylo_J.Fraud

September 2022 Chemical & Biological Deliberate Events (CBDE)

 PART 1

Biological Agents
Module 3

Biological PART 2

warfare agents Toxins, Dual-Use and Bioengineering

PART 3

Detection and Protection

September 2022 Biosecurity and Health Security Protection

 PART 1

Biological Agents
Module 3

Biological
warfare agents
©WHO/Olylo_J.Fraud

PART 2

Toxins, Dual-Use and Bioengineering

PART 3

Detection and Protection

September 2022 Chemical & Biological Deliberate Events (CBDE)

Definition

Biological Agent
It is a microorganism, a virus, a biological toxin,
a particle or otherwise infectious material.

It can be It may have the potential to cause

INFECTION • ALLERGY • TOXICITY
naturally existing or or otherwise create a hazard
genetically modified to humans, animals, or plants

September 2022
Biological dangers

Biological Agents
can be dangerous

By Accident By Design
Naturally o r Misuse & Purpose

Infection case(s), Accident e.g. Smallpox or

e.g. Leak of Influenza Viruses Pulmonary Anthrax
cluster, outbreak,
from a laboratory
epidemic & pandemic
Misuse
Naturally occuring e.g. emergence of an extensively
resistant Tuberculosis strain
(Misuse of antibiotics)

September 2022
What are Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs)?

Human
Which can
SELECTION Animal
endanger
health of Plants
The environment

Biological
agents
HUMAN Which are to trigger
INTERVENTION designed, HARM
produced and
or used DAMAGES

September 2022
Examples of Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs)

Infectious Agent Toxin

Bacteria Toxins
Bacillus anthracis Botulism
(anthrax)

Viruses
Variola major
(smallpox)

Fungi
Puccina triticina ©WHO/Olylo_J.Fraud

(wheat rust)
©WHO/Olylo_J.Fraud

September 2022
Historical Background of Biological Warfare

Existed since antiquity

20th and 21st centuries

Main with the development of
breakthrough: MICROBIOLOGY and GENETICS

Geneva Protocol Use of Biological

in 1925 Warfare Agents = ILLEGAL
Geneva, electoral building, 12 August 1949.
Diplomatic Conference for the revision of the Geneva Conventions.

September 2022
Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs) alleged use in war/conflict

TULARAEMIA
USSR (Donbas)
World War II, 1942-1943

GLANDERS PLAGUE
Europe & North America China (Manchuria)
World War I, 1915 World War II, 1940

September 2022
Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs) use in Bioterrorism:

1984 2001

Deliberate contamination Release of

Salmonella Anthrax

- The Dalles, Oregon, USA- - USA -

Deliberate contamination of Release of Anthrax,

salad bars (ten restaurants) a biological agent,
with Salmonella distributed by mail

751 Casualties 22 Casualties

NO Deaths 5 Deaths
September 2022
What is the legal framework of Biological Warfare?

Geneva Biological Weapons International

Protocol Convention (BWC) Criminal Court

1925 1972 2020

Banned the use, Signed on 10 April 1972 Entry into force after the
(but not the development and made effective amendment of Article 8
or possession) on 26 March 1975 of the Rome Statute
of chemical and
biological weapons It banned biological Forbidden use of
and toxin weapons biological weapons
development, production,
acquisition, transfer,
stockpiling and use

September 2022
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC)

Risk categories for

Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs)

PRIORITY
1st

Category A

PRIORITY
2nd

Category B

PRIORITY
3rd

Category C

September 2022
Risk categories for Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs)

PRIORITY
1st
EXAMPLES
Category A
Anthrax • Botulism • Pneumonic Plague •
HIGHEST RISK Smallpox • Tularaemia • Ebola

Easily disseminated

High mortality rates and

major public health impact

It can cause public panic

Special action for public

health preparedness

https://www.ticklethewire.com/tag/anthrax/

September 2022
Risk categories for Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs)

PRIORITY
2nd
EXAMPLES
Category B
Ricin Toxin • Brucellosis • Q Fever •
NEXT highest risk Typhus • Food and waterborne pathogens

Moderately easy
to disseminate

Moderate morbidity rates

& low mortality rates

Require enhancements of
diagnostic capacity and
surveillance

©WHO/Olylo_J.Fraud

September 2022
Risk categories for Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs)

PRIORITY
3rd
EXAMPLES
Category C
Nipah Virus • Hantaviruses •
Emerging Pathogens Yellow Fever • Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis

Easily available

Easily disseminated
and produced

High morbidity
and mortality rates

https://www.tballiance.org/content/disease-fights-back-emergence-extensively-drug-resistant-tuberculosis

September 2022
More on BWAs

BWAs may be EXAMPLES

already known, or Chimeric viruses
Antimicrobial-resistant
artificially created bacteria

TOXINS Originally synthetized by biological

organisms

intermediate But inert & unable to replicate

between biological
& chemical agents: They behave like a chemical agent

©WHO/Olylo_J.Fraud

September 2022