MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 120396_sep96_decls8_0007.txt
Page: 0007
Total Pages: 13

Subject: MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL             

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003203

Folder Title: MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS                                            

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         27










       greater over successive hours or days until a peak is reached. An
       exception to this aspect would be an attack with biological
       toxin(s) which might create an immediate dramatic mass situation.

           Although most activities of medical management would take
       place a considerable period of time after the biological attack
       itself, physical measures such as decontamination and collective
       protection will still have to be considered. This could be
       particularly important if the situation necessitated a prolonged
       stay in a presumptively infected area.

           There is little question that many human deaths would occur if
       an effective attack with a biological agent were mounted. This
       would be true even if the so called incapacitating agents were
       employed and would occur particularly among the very young, the
       very old, and those suffering from underlying disease or some
       other form of weakening stress. If, however, reasonable adequate
       shelter can be provided, food and fluid intake can be maintained
       and specific medication, if applicable, can be distributed and
       administered, an acceptable level of medical care could be
       provided for the vast majority of those becoming ill.


       HEALTH ASPEC S

           Following an effective attack, depending upon the agent
       employed, the application of general preventive medicine
       principles may be of importance. The tendency of individuals in
       an emergency situation to become careless regarding food and water
       sanitation, general hygiene and other common disease control
       measures, could produce detrimental effects. A breakdown in such
       measures could be a significant cause of secondary spread of
       disease. The problems of maintaining proper water and food
       hygiene conditions will differ from soldiers at the front to those
       in the rear areas and even more to the civilian population with
 or no education in the field and with various possibilities
       to get support and advice from a total defense system.

           Following a biological agent attack, all food except canned or
       otherwise well protected food, should be thoroughly cooked prior
       to consumption. All food should be inspected to ensure that is
       was adequately protected while exposed to the infectious cloud.
       Thorough cooking would make foods safe for consumption unless they
       are contaminated with certain heat stable toxins. Thorough
       cooking means that all parts have been heated close to the boiling





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Document 13 f:/Week-36/BX003203/MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS/medical countermeasures against biological mater:1108961508469
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Folder Seq # = 27
Subject = MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATER
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 08-NOV-1996