bioterrorism
Weaponized disease attacks
Bioterrorism is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other biological agents to cause illness or death in people, animals, or crops.
The intent is to create fear, disrupt society, or achieve political aims: The anthrax letters of 2001 were an act of bioterrorism.
Bioterrorism exploits the invisibility and contagiousness of pathogens, making detection and containment difficult.
Spore-forming bacterial disease
- smallpoxDeadly pustular viral infection
- ricinToxic castor compound
- botulismBacterial food poisoning
- plagueDeadly epidemic disease
salmonella · brucellosis · sarin · VX · mustard gas · chlorine · cyanide
Disease-causing microorganism
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
- incubationDevelopment before emergence
contagion · epidemic · pandemic · outbreak · aerosol · vector · exposure · dispersal
Combat using disease agents
- attackAggressive act against another
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- biohazardDangerous living organism risk
extremism · radicalism · state-sponsored · lone wolf · ecoterrorism · dirty bomb · mass casualty · asymmetric warfare
Protection from biological attacks
- countermeasuresDefensive actions against threats
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- preparednessState of being equipped
- detectionAct of finding something
biosecurity · vaccination · quarantine · decontamination · containment · emergency response · antitoxins · biosafety
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- hysteriaUncontrollable emotional excess
paranoia · trauma · hoax · false alarm · media coverage · public health crisis · evacuation · shelter in place
anthrax
Spore-forming bacterial disease
plague · salmonella · brucellosis · sarin · VX · mustard gas · chlorine · cyanide
pathogen
Disease-causing microorganism
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
incubation · contagion · epidemic · pandemic · outbreak · aerosol · vector · exposure · dispersal · weaponization
germ warfare
Combat using disease agents
- attackAggressive act against another
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
biohazard · extremism · radicalism · state-sponsored · lone wolf · ecoterrorism · dirty bomb · mass casualty · asymmetric warfare · soft target
biodefense
Protection from biological attacks
- countermeasuresDefensive actions against threats
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- preparednessState of being equipped
detection · biosecurity · vaccination · quarantine · decontamination · containment · emergency response · antitoxins · biosafety · risk assessment
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
hysteria · paranoia · trauma · hoax · false alarm · media coverage · public health crisis · evacuation · shelter in place · uncertainty
- global issuesclimate change, water scarcity, inequality, pandemics, poverty
- federal crimesbank robbery, kidnapping, counterfeiting, tax fraud, wire fraud
- global threatsnuclear war, cyberattacks, pandemic, nuclear weapons, climate collapse
- international crimestreaty violations, sanctions evasion, foreign interference, aircraft hijacking, ethnic cleansing
- offensesarson, robbery, treason, vandalism, kidnapping
- health crimeshealth violations, health code violations, disease spreading, poisoning, counterfeit drugs
bioterrorismbiomedical research
Scientific study of health
public health · medical aid · vaccine development · biopharmaceuticals · healing
bioterrorismbiodefense
Protection from biological attacks
epidemic response · disease control · pandemic preparedness · biosecurity · quarantine