Biological Warfare and Bioterrorism
Assignment Objectives: Relate the historical impact of disease on homeland and national security. Characterize and discuss the current threat and importance of preparedness for naturally occurring diseases. Understand the threats from and history of use of weapons of mass destruction. Identify the public health community's role in responding to weapons of mass destruction.
Assignment: This assignment should take about 3 hours to complete.
Read the articles by Martin, et al. (2007) and Rotz, et al. (2002) and spend some time reviewing information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Bioterrorism website.
Write a 500- to 600-word essay and cite the references in APA style. Use outline below as topics to guide development of your essay from your research.
1. Background: Discuss the historical use of biological weapons in warfare during the 20th century. What are some reasons that biological weapons were developed? Why have biological weapons been rarely used in modern warfare?
2. The Anthrax Threat: Why is anthrax considered to be a particular threat for use in bioterrorism?
3. Preparedness & Response: What are the key preparedness and response measures that have been implemented because of the bioterrorism threat?
Reading:
- Katz, R., Chapter 2, Potential Threats, Essentials of Public Health Preparedness, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Burlington, 2013.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Bioterrorism webpage
- Martin, J. W., Christopher, G. W. & Eitzen, E. M. (2007). History of biological weapons: From poisoned darts to intentional epidemics. In Dembek, Z.F. (Ed.), Medical aspects of biological warfare (pp. 1-20). Washington, DC: Borden Institute. Alternate link to Martin, et al. article. (Note: Use HSDL account if you have one or see copy in Course Materials if you have trouble accessing from either link.)
- Rotz, L. D., Khan, A. S., Lillibridge, S. R., Ostroff, S. M., & Hughes, J. M. (2002). Public health assessment of potential biological agents. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 8(2), 225-230.