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Bioterrorism
Deliberate release of bacteria, viruses or other agents
that may cause death or illness in people, animals and
plants. Agents may be spread through the air, water or
food. There are three categories: A (pose highest risk
to public and national security), B (Moderately easy to
spread) and C (emerging pathogens that could be
engineered for mass spread) (CDC, 2006). If you
suspect someone is infected-quarantine the person and
area
Agents
ANTHRAX-spore forming bacteria
3 types: skin, lungs, digestive
Spread person/animal to person
2001-anthrax spread via postal system
Category A
GI anthrax more severe causing 25-60% of deaths in these cases
Caused by eating contaminated meat
S/S: cutaneous-small sore develops into blister then ulcer; GInausea, anorexia, bloody diarrhea, fever; lungs-cold/flu symptoms,
mild fever and muscle ages
Symptoms appear in 7 days after coming in contact with anthrax
TX: antibiotics (60 days)
Precautions-standard*
Ricin
o
Toxic protein made from castor beans, toxin
is extracted from the beans and treated to form
a powder that can be suspended in air and
inhaled
CANNOT be spread from person to person
Can be injected and has caused several
deaths to date
If placed directly on skin, causes death within
minutes
Incubation period for ingestion-less than 6 hours,
inhalation-8 hours
S/S: dyspnea, fever, cough, n/v/d (ingestion),
tight chest, internal bleeding
TX-supportive; hydration, O2
Cyanide (hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen
chloride or sodium or potassium cyanide)
Colorless gas, with (bitter almond) or without
an odor
Inhalation causes most harm, prevents
cells from getting oxygen, can also be
absorbed into skin or eating foods that
contain this gas
S/S appear within minutes: rapid breathing,
restless, dizziness, h/a, n/v, tachycardia;
large exposure can result in convulsions, low
blood pressure, LOC, **respiratory failuredeath in 6-8 minutes
Cyanide
Tx- antidote is amyl nitrite via inhalation
or sodium nitrite IV-frees cyanide that is
bound to hgb to allow 02 transport
NERVE AGENTS
*MOST TOXIC OF ALL CHEMICAL
AGENTS
Smallpox
o
Serious, contagious and possibly fatal disease;
potential biological weapon
S/S- mylagia, fever, h/a, rash (disease is most
contagious) distributed asynchronously over the
body
Most infectious 7-10 days after rash appears
Transmitted-respiratory droplets, direct contact
Tx-isolate! AIRBORNE!!, post-exposure
immunization 3-4 days after exposure, VIG
(vaccinia immune globulin)
Smallpox
*Contraindications for vaccine
administration include
HIV/AIDS
Life threatening allergies to antibiotics
Dx with eczema
Prevention-vaccine
People with non-active eczema are most at risk*
VHF-Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
Causative agents: ebola, yellow and
dengue fevers
S/S-abrupt onset of fever, myalgia, H/A,
exhaustion, n/v/d,
Transmitted-person to person by
infected hosts or vectors
Tx-isolate-airborne (neg. pressure
room), RIBAVIRIN X 4 DAYS
Pneumonic Plague
Pneumonic plague is a life-threatening
infection of the lungs
It can be deadly if not treated quickly,
preferably within 24 hours of the
appearance of symptoms (CDC, 2007).
Implement standard & droplet
precautions *
Disaster/Emergency Preparedness/Bioterrorism
Terrorism-use of violence to intimidate or
cause fear and to influence society (Wikepedia
(on-line), 2006).
induces fear and modifies social
behavior
Disasters-Natural, be aware of bacterial
infections from impure water or molding after
flooding
Disaster Management
Primary-prevent, prepare, develop and educate
Developing a 911 sx
The first person to notify is the local health officer
commander.
Secondary-screening, activating 911, triaging disaster victims
Tertiary-rehab, post exposure
Nursing Care
Provide emotional support, monitor v/s,
administer medications
You may need to quarantine people
Be alert for several people in close
proximity become ill
**Remember previous disaster victims
have an increased risk for physiological
and mental-health disorders.
Nursing care
During decontamination-the primary
material used is tepid water*
The purpose of a decontam rooom is to
prevent contamination of patients and
health care workers
*If responders do not know what type
of PPE’s to use-choose the highest level
of equipment available.