Anthrax as a terrorist weapon

Although only a few people have gotten sick from anthrax in the last several years worldwide, countries all around the world are investing huge amounts of money to find a cure and treatment for the disease. The reason for this is the bioterrorist threat that is imposed by the anthrax. When used as a terrorist weapon, two forms of the disease occur: cutaneous (through the skin) and inhalation. Inhalation anthrax is a fatal disease and results in a 95% death rate without treatment.

	You will find more about the types of anthrax diseases
	in: Meeting the culprit

The effectiveness of anthrax as a biological weapon:

By far, the most effective means of applying biological weapons is via an aerosol cloud. Such a cloud is made up of microscopic particles and is therefore invisible. It can be produced in several ways, most of which involve either an explosion (some type of bomb) or spraying (usually involving a special nozzle on a spray tank). The effectiveness of the cloud is determined by numerous factors, such as the amount of agent that survives the explosion or spraying, and the wind and weather conditions outdoors, or air-flow and ventilation conditions indoors.

Anthrax inhalation

Definitions, Questions, Answers and Precautions—Anthrax

More cases of anthrax from aerosol dispersal

Assignment:

The “popular” way of spreading the anthrax bacteria by terrorist organizations is via envelopes that are sent by mail and contain spores that look like white powder.
1. Why is the anthrax bacterium popular for terrorist use?
2. Why is it effective to spread the bacteria by powder?

You can find answers to these questions here

If you want to know more about Bacillus anthracis go to:
	Meeting the culprit
	History of anthrax—anthrax as a zoonotic disease
	The way that anthrax infects humans-advanced activity
	How is anthrax used as a terrorist weapon?
	Anthrax naturally occurring in humans
	How do we deal with the dangers of anthrax terrorist attacks? The hope- Pathogenomics approach