Iraq's Biological Warfare Agents: A Comprehensive Analysis

Production, Characterisation and Testing of an Ovine Antitoxin against Ricin; Efficacy, Potency and Mechanisms of Action

“…Ricin is a toxic protein obtained from the seeds of the castor oil plant ( Ricinus communis ) which is grown commercially in many parts of the developing world for castor oil production. Although approximately 1000-fold less toxic than the botulinum toxins, ricin is considered a potential biological warfare agent because of the ease and rapidity with which large quantities can be produced and the wide availability of castor beans [ 1 , 2 ]. Historically, it has been employed in many criminal activities and recently it has been considered a weapon of choice for extremist and terrorist groups [ 3 ].…”

Infectious Diseases of Refugees and Immigrants

“…They pose a risk to national security because they "can be easily disseminated or transmitted from person-to-person; cause high mortality, with potential for major public health impact; might cause public panic and social disruption; and require special action for public health preparedness" (CDC, 2000, p. 5). Though Iraq is not known to have produced weaponized viral HFs (Shoham, 2000), "all are potentially infectious by the aerosol route and most are stable as respirable aerosols" (Cieslak, & Eitzen, 2000, p. 28). Treatment is supportive, hence very challenging in a mass casualty situation.…”

Bioterrorism: Introduction and Major Agents

“…Agent: (Bacillus anthracis) is a very hardy Gram-positive spore-forming aerobic rod that causes cutaneous or pulmonary infection. Anthrax is the greatest known BW threat and has been weaponized by several countries, including Iraq, which tested it extensively on humans (Cieslak, & Eitzen, 1999;Shoham, 2000). It has been estimated that release of 100 kilograms of anthrax spores upwind of Washington D.C. would result in up to 3 million deaths (U.S. Congress, 1993).…”

“…Person-toperson transmission is not known to occur. It is not known how long anthrax spores remain viable in the environment, but experience with accidents in Russia indicates a maximum of 45 days : Shoham, 2000. Incubation: The incubation period is usually 1-7 days but can be up to 60 days (Chin, 2000).…”

“…If botulinism is identified early, botulinum antitoxin decreases the progressive nerve damage and disease severity but does not reverse extant damage; thus, speed is essential. The trivalent antitoxin available from state and local health departments has antibodies effective against botulinum types A, B, and E. Iraq is known to have produced and likely still possess weaponized types A, B, E, and F (several strains of A and E; Shoham, 2000). The military has a heptavalent antitoxin effective against types A-G.…”