Healthcare Concerns About Bioterrorism: How to Alert and Eliminate the Danger

Bioterrorism can be traced back to 600 BC when Assyrian poisoned the well of their enemies with fungus agents. Notably, this continued up to 20th century. Bioterrorism is a terrorist activity, which involves the use of hurtful agents and items as defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The origin of these products is from biological, which produces microorganism, which is very dangerous to human beings, animals and animals too, for example of these agents includes toxins, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In simple words, bioterrorism is the use of biological weapon (Annas, 2002). In this case, bioterrorism is related with healthcare as healthcare personnel needs to research, treat and prepare for any occurrence of such terror. The bioterrorism is carried out deliberately during a war to cause health complications to the human body.

Mainly, these agents are naturally found in the environment, but sometimes they are human made to make them stronger and resistant to the available medicines. Due to its easy accessibility and inexpensive, they are widely spread. Consequently, it causes both mental and physical damage to the affected group. Mostly, bioterrorism is carried out to fulfill both political and social in a certain environment (Yih at el. 2004). These agents can be spread into food, water, air and through contaminated hosts. According to the recent research biological agents is becoming popular among the terrorists. As a result, healthcare personnel and related stakeholders are very concern because bioweapons cause health advance problems to human beings compared to chemical and nuclear weapons.

Bioterrorism can be grouped into three main categories namely A, B, C. category A comprises of plague, botulism, anthrax, smallpox virus and viral hemorrhagic fever (Annas, 2002). Mainly, this category can be spread from one person to another.

Plague

Plague is caused by the bacterium called Yersinia pestis. Notably is found in three forms namely, bubonic plague. It is the most known and affects lymph nodes. The second is called septicemia, which causes internal bleeding and shock because it resides in the bloodstream. The last one is called pneumonia plague damages the respiratory area. Yersinia pestis is preferred during the warfare because it can stay alive in the air for one hour spreading aerosolized. Moreover, this bacterium is found in rodent animals. Infected rats can pass this bacterium to human beings through biting of the flea. Immediate symptoms include; coughing, chest pain, fever, headache, bloody sputum and abdominal pain (Annas, 2002). In particular, this bacterium can be treated if detected early but until today there is no specific vaccination to control its occurrence. Its transmission is controlled by placing the patient in a concealed room, and its movement should be managed.

Anthrax

This disease is caused by Bacillus anthracis bacterium. Notably, this condition is manifested in three ways namely; gastrointestinal, cutaneous and pulmonary. Mostly, this bacterium has some spores, which have a hard coat, which enables them to live in a cruel environment (Yih at el. 2004). Mostly, these spores are found in the soil, where they later infect the animals such as sheep, horses, and cattle while grazing. This disease is transmitted by inhalation, by ingestion if food is contaminated and through contact with the rash. The perfect treatment for this condition is to administer antibiotics at early stages.

Botulism

Mainly, this disease is caused by the toxin, which is produced by Clostridium botulinum bacterium (Siegel at el. 2007). Specifically, this condition is not contagious from one person to another. It can either be inhaled or swallowed but can also get into the human body through an open wound. It is harmful to the human body because it can cause temporary paralysis and can damage the nerves. Besides, it can lead to respiratory damage and can lead to death.

Smallpox

Smallpox is a deadly viral disease, which affects people of all ages. In the 20th century, it caused the death of many people because it is contagious and can be transmitted from one person to another (Siegel at el. 2007). Its symptoms are visible and easy to detect, for example, high fever, vomiting, painful rashes, backache, and headache. It can be treated by vaccination if detected in four days after infection.

Category B is easy quite to disseminate, but it lows mortality rates and moderate morbidity. Some of these diseases include glanders, Q fever, melioidosis, rising, and typhus. Lastly, category C contained its agents available and transmitted, like category B it also lows morbidity and mortality rate (Siegel at el. 2007). It entails diseases such as Nipah Virus, Hantavirus, and Multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis (MTB) severe acute respiratory syndrome.

The danger of bioterrorism is rated to healthcare in different ways, for example, it exposes security of all county into a high risk and the health of its citizens (Siegel at el. 2007). In the recent years Russian, Iraq, United States and Japan are good examples indicating how citizen and their security personnel were affected by these bioterrorism attacks. The first danger is the lack of preparedness of healthcare as bioterrorism is hard to detect and prevent its occurrences. Further, during bioterrorism event healthcare may have difficulties providing quality services to all patients (Wynia, Gostin, 2004). In addition, due to a large number of infected during bioterrorism attack; there are not enough facilities to facilitate all patients.

The number of health personnel may not be enough to take care of all patients during bioterrorism events (Siegel at el. 2007). Further, it is difficult to detect when bioterrorism will occur hence making it hard for healthcare to plan. In addition, there are most of the bioterrorism diseases do not have an immediate cure. As a result, if not discover at early stages it has high chances to advance problems or even death.

The best way to eliminate bioterrorism is to reduce the availability of the agents used to make and prepare bioterrorism weapons (Wynia, Gostin, 2004). For example, in 2001 US introduced mitigation policies, among them includes biosecurity, which protects biological materials from sabotage or theft. Mainly, this will assist in the control of bioterrorism attacks. Another, great idea to confront bioterrorism attack can by educating community worldwide of the importance of human life and health for each citizen (Yih at el. 2004). In addition, they should be taught on the immediate and advance consequences of using bioterrorism in any country. Lastly, the government in all countries should introduce harsh penalties for victims found intending to use or using bioterrorism materials. Consequently, this will discourage people from getting involved in such activities.

The healthcare is more concern on the means to expand its facilities to identify permanent treatment for bioterrorism diseases (Wynia, Gostin, 2004). On the other hand, many governments are dedicated to coming up with appropriate method to control any occurrence of bioterrorism attacks. In this case, the community should come together to identify the best way to stop any related bioterrorism attack. In conclusion, bioterrorism attacks are dangerous to all people in the world, and each scientist and artist should report any attempt or suspicion to such attacks.