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REVIEW PAPER
CONTEMPORARY THREAT DUE TO BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS - BIO-TERRORISM
 
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Z zakładu Biologicznych Szkodliwości Zawodowych Instytutu Medycyny Wsi im. W. Chodźki w Lublinie
 
 
Med Og. 2008;14(2)
 
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ABSTRACT
Due to its specific features, the biological weapon is considered as one of the most threatening types of weapons, and terrorists take it as nearly ideal. The high degree of harm of this weapon is caused by the possibility of the loss of control over it, ease of acquisition and application, high effectiveness (introducing chaos and disorganization of life, killing or weakening the recipient), because of the lack of rapid and effective methods of defence As biological weapons are considered microbiological agents, including toxins, irrespective of their origin, method of production, type or quantity, the use of which is not justified by prophylactic, protective or other pacific reasons. The biological weapon was applied long ago, in the distant past. In contemporary conflicts, sometimes on an international scale, terrorist attacks have occurred; however, no one has gone so far as to use the biological weapon, despite threats of its use. Nevertheless, it was used on a small scale by some extremist groups. Biological weapon may be used with or without warning An attack with the warning may be false, but the threat itself fulfils its role. The first victims of an actual terrorist attack are not always differentiated from those falling ill by a natural route, and the consequences are the development of epidemics, delay in establishing the actual epidemiological situation, and delay concerning preventive actions. In the case of a bioterorist attack, health services, police, fire-brigade, and administration are obliged to undertake actions.
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