Title: Terrorism%20101
1Terror Is Real !
2Terrorism Are We Ready?
Barbara Russell, RN,MPH,CIC,ACRN
3Biological and Chemical TerrorismHow Real is
the Threat?
4What is Terrorism?
- No single definition
- FBI The unlawful use of force or violence
against persons or property to intimidate or
coerce a government, the civilian population, or
any segment thereof, in furtherance of political
or social objectives.
5Kill 1, Frighten 10,000
Sun Tzu
6Anthrax 2001
- 22 confirmed or suspected cases
- 11 inhalation (confirmed)
- 11 cutaneous (7 confirmed, 4 suspected)
7Inhalation Anthrax (11)
9 confirmed - exposed to mail (other 2
possible) 55 (6) survived
8Types of Terrorism
- Biological
- Nuclear
- Incendiary
- Chemical
- Explosive
- B-NICE
9Target Selection
- SSymbolic target to audience or terrorist
Economic, political, social or religious value
Highly visible and photogenic
Random To create confusion
Diversionary
Asymmetrical attack
10Timing
- Anniversary of significant historical event
- Highly visible event in the area
- Increase in international tensions
11Chemical Biological Terrorism
1984 The Dalles, Oregon, Salmonella (salad
bar) 1991 Minnesota, ricin toxin (hoax) 1994
Tokyo, Sarin and attack 1995 Arkansas, ricin
toxin (hoax) 1995 Ohio, Yersinia pestis (sent
in mail) 1997 Washington DC, Anthrax
(hoax) 1998 Nevada , non-lethal strain of B.
anthracis 1998 Multiple Anthrax hoaxes
12Chemical Warfare Agents
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15Tokyo Subway Attack
- Odon March 20, 1995, terrorists released sarin,
an organophosphate (OP) nerve gas at several
points in the Tokyo subway system, killing 11 and
injuring more than 5,500 people. - Concealed in lunch boxes and soft-drink
containers and placed on subway train floors. It
was released as terrorists punctured the
containers with umbrellas before leaving the
trains. - .On April 19th, 1995 repeat attack in subway
which the same terrorist group killed seven and
injured more than 200 people.
16Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA)
- ? Lethal CWAs
-
- ? Nerve gas (Sarin, Tabun, soman, and VX)
- ? Organophosphates- anticholinesterase
- ? Colorless, odorless, tasteless
- ? Cyanides
- ? Vesicants (blistering ) agents
- mustard gas
17Nerve Gas Agents
- ? All nerve agents belong chemically to the group
of - organo-phosphorus compounds.
- ? Stable and easily dispersed, highly toxic and
have - rapid effects both when absorbed through the
skin - and via respiration.
- ? Nerve agents can be manufactured by means of
fairly - simple chemical techniques. The raw materials
are - inexpensive and generally readily available.
18Chemical
- Chemical agents are toxic, but
- - They can be detected
- - You can protect yourself
- - Victims can be decontaminated
- Can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or
injected
19Nerve Agent Symptoms
- Salivation
- Lacrimination
- Urination
- Defecation
- Gastrointestinal pain
- Emesis
- SLUDGE
20Decontamination
- Removes the agent from the patient
- Reduces the chance of secondary spread
- Helps the victim psychologically
21Nerve Gas Poisoning
- Eyes excessive lacrimation and pain.
- Skin excessive sweating
- Muscles involuntary twitching
- Respiratory Mucous secretion, dyspnea
- Digestive excessive salivation, abdominal pain
- Symptoms minutes to 2 hours
- Treatment Atropine, 2-PAM (pralidoxime-2-chlorid
e) - Decontamination Soap Water, Chlorox
22Sulfur Mustard Poisoning
- Eyes reddening, congestion, pain 1/2 -12 hours
- Skin itching, burning, erythema, large blisters
(1-12 hours) - Respiratory burning throat, cough, dsypnea.
(2-12 hours) - Digestive abdominal pain, nausea, blood stained
vomiting and diarrhea
- Treatment none
- Decontamination Soap Water, Chlorox
- Care watch for leukopenia, debride bullae
23Im confident that we can defend against
chemical warfare. The one that really scares me
to death is biological
Colin Powell - 1993
24Potential Biological Weapon Agents
25Characteristics of a Biological Attack
- Civilian Targets Likely.
- Possibility of Large Numbers of Casualties.
- Symptoms May Not Appear For Days.
- Initial Symptoms Likely to be Non-Specific.
- Diagnoses Will Depend Heavily Upon Laboratory
Tests. - Complex Epidemiology.
- Ongoing Need to Care for Large Numbers of
Patients - Concerns About Availability of Drugs, Supplies,
Staff Members. - Legal Considerations.
- Coordination with Local, State, and Federal
Authorities.
26Potential Bioterrorism Agents
- Bacterial Agents
- Anthrax
- Brucellosis
- Cholera
- Plague, Pneumonic
- Tularemia
- Viruses
- Smallpox
- VEE
- VHF
- Biological Toxins
- Botulinum
- Staph Entero-B
- Ricin
- T-2 Mycotoxins
Source U.S.A.M.R.I.I.D.
27Biological Agents of Highest Concern
- Variola major (Smallpox)
- Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)
- Yersinia pestis (Plague)
- Francisella tularensis (Tularemia)
- Botulinum toxin (Botulism)
- Filoviruses and Arenaviruses (Viral hemorrhagic
fevers) - ALL suspected or confirmed cases should be
reported to health authorities immediately
28Anthrax - The Weapon
- Bacillus anthracis (coal anthrakis) because of
black coal like lesions - Aerobic, gram-positive, spore forming, non-motile
bacillus species. - Inhalation Anthrax
- Most morbidity and mortality as aerosolized
biological weapon. - Disease occurs 2 to 43 days after exposure.
29Anthrax - The Disease
- Inhalation anthrax
- Hemorrhagic thoracic lymphadenitis
- Hemorrhagic mediastinitis
- Hemorrhagic meningitis
- Two Stages
- 1. Fever, cough, dyspnea, headache, vomiting,
chills, weakness - 2. Sudden fever spikes, dyspnea, shock, cyanosis,
hypotension - Mortality 89!!!!
30AnthraxDiagnosis, Prevention, Treatment
- CXR widened mediastinum
- Blood culture shows growth after 2-6 hours
- Vaccine Licensed since 1970, 88 effective, not
available! - Treatment PNC, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin,
first generation cephalosporin, vacomycin,
clindamycin
31Anthrax
Cause Bacillus anthracis
Incubation 1-60 days, average 7 days
Mortality (without treatment) Cutaneous 20 Intestinal 25-60 Inhalation Usually fatal
Infectious Dose Varied 8,000-50,000 spores (inhalation)
Treatable? Yes antibiotics and supportive care
Human to Human Transmission? No
32Anthrax (bacillus anthracis)
33What is smallpox?
- Serious, contagious, viral disease that causes a
fever and distinctive rash - Treatment supportive
- Historically, 30 of smallpox patients died, many
developed scars especially on face, some became
blind - Prevented by smallpox vaccine (gt95 effective)
34How is smallpox spread?
- By direct, prolonged face-to-face contact
- Less commonly, indirectly by contaminated bedding
or clothing - Rarely spread by air
- Transmission prevented by using airborne and
contact precautions in health care settings
35What is the risk of smallpox?
- 1972 routine smallpox vaccination discontinued
in U.S. - 1977 last naturally-acquired case in world
- Deliberate release is possible but risk is
unknown - Health care workers at higher risk due to
exposure to most severely ill patients - In Europe from 1950-71, 50 of smallpox
transmission was in hospitals
36How the skin looks with successful vaccine take
37Smallpox
Cause Variola major
Incubation 7-17 days, average 12-14 days
Mortality (without treatment) 30
Infectious Dose Small
Treatable? Supportive care vaccine after exposure
Human to Human Transmission? Yes - Airborne
38Smallpox vs. Chickenpox
Smallpox Chickenpox
Distribution of pox Centrifugal distribution (face, arms, legs) More covered parts of body, trunk
Stage of pox development All at same stage of development Various stages of development
Unique presentation Pox found on palms and soles of feet Uncommon to find pox on palms and soles of feet
39Smallpox (variola major)
40Treatment
- Treatment of smallpox is limited to supportive
therapy and antibiotics as required for treating
secondary bacterial infections. - There are no proven antiviral agents effective in
treating smallpox.
41Plague
- Found in rodents and their fleas in many parts of
the world - Bites from an infected flea
- Bubonic, septicemic, pneumonic
- Seen in rural areas (US 10-15 cases per year)
- Two recent human cases of primary pneumonic
plague contracted from cats
42Plague (cont)
- US 390 cases from 1947-1996
- - 84 bubonic (standard precautions)
- - 13 septicemic (standard precautions)
- - 2 pneumonic (droplet precautions)
- Patients may present with GI symptoms (N/V, abd
pain) - Treated with antibiotics
43Plague (cont)
- BBiological terrorism release clues
- - Pneumonic plague outbreak 1-6 days after
- exposure
- - Initial severe respiratory illness
- - Death occurs quickly after onset of illness
- - Infection in persons with no known risk
- factors
44Plague (cont)
- BBiological terrorism release clues (cont)
- - Occurrence of cases in areas not known to
- have previous cases
- - Absence of prior rodent deaths (which may
- be present after natural disaster)
- Plague vs. Anthrax presentation
45Plague (yersinia pestis)
46Plague
Cause Yersinia pestis
Incubation 2-6 days
Mortality (without treatment) 50 (bubonic) near 100 (pneumonic)
Infectious Dose Small
Treatable? Yes antibiotics and supportive care
Human to Human Transmission? Pneumonic Yes Bubonic No
47Botulism
- Most potent naturally occurring lethal substance
known to man - Possible routes of exposure Ingestion (food),
Inhalation (terrorist), Injection (drug users),
dirty wound - In 1999. 174 cases
- 26 food borne
- 107 intestinal / infant
- 41 wound
48Botulism (cont)
- CCardinal Signs
- - Fever is absent (unless infection is present)
- - Neurological symptoms are symmetrical
- - Patient remains responsive
- - Heart rate normal or slow
- - Sensory deficits do not occur (except for
- blurred vision)
49Botulism (cont)
- IIncubation period
- - Food borne 12-36 hours (preformed toxin)
- - Intestinal (Infant) 1-2 weeks
- - Wound 4-14 days
50Botulinum Toxin
Cause Clostridium botulinum
Incubation 2 hours 8days, average 12-72 hours (foodborne)
Mortality High
Lethal Dose 1 ng/kg (about 0.00000009g/200lb person)
Treatable? Yes antitoxin and supportive care
Human to Human Transmission? No
51Tularemia
- Reservoir Numerous wild animals (i.e. rabbits,
beavers, some ticks) - Can also be found in contaminated water, soil,
vegetation - Infections occur in North America (US 171 cases
/ year) AKA Rabbit Fever, Deer Fly Fever - Infection caused by handling infectious animal
tissues or fluids, direct contact with
contaminated water, food, soil and inhalation of
aerosols.
52Tularemia (francisella tularensis)
53Tularemia
Cause Francisella tularensis
Incubation 1-14 days, average 3-5 days
Mortality (without treatment) Varies 5-60
Infectious Dose 10 organisms
Treatable? Yes antibiotics and supportive care
Human to Human Transmission? No
54Hemorrhagic Fevers
- Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, Junin related viruses
- Presentation Initially febrile illness,
malaise, - myalgias, H/A, vomiting, diarrhea followed
by - bleeding, hypo tension, shock
- Mode of Transmission Contact with infected
- blood or other materials, higher risk at
late stages - of illness
55Hemorrhagic Fevers (cont)
- Incubation period (days)
- - Ebola 2-21,
- - Marburg 3-9,
-
-
- Lassa, commonly 6-21
- - Junin 7-16
- Diagnostic Tests Available
- Significant number of people with
- hemorrhagic fever symptoms
- Intensive supportive care
- Standard and Contact Precautions
56Hemorrhagic Fever
Cause Varies viral
Incubation Varies days to weeks
Mortality (without treatment) Varies high (as much as 80)
Infectious Dose Unknown
Treatable? No supportive care only
Human to Human Transmission? Yes
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58Key Points
- Increase Level of Awareness
- Be familiar with Workplace Plan
- Be familiar with County Plan
- Have a Family Plan
- No I in Response Its a Team Effort
59Personal Protective Equipment
- Be sure that it is Appropriate to the hazard(s)
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