MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL WARFARE THREAT EXSUMS

File: 120396_sep96_decls9_0006.txt
Page: 0006
Total Pages: 8

Subject: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL WARFARE THREAT  EXSUMS       

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003203

Folder Title: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL WARFARE THREAT                                               

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:          9




                                      UNCLASSIFIED


                                     %i L



                                                             27 Aug 90
                                                             SGPS-PSP


                                  INFORMATION PAPER

        SUBJECT: Medical Defense Against Botulinum Toxins (U)

        1.  @ Purpose: To provide information on medical measures
        against botulinum toxins (BT) for Operation Desert Shield.

        2.  @ Facts:

            a.  @ Intelligence sources state that Iraq has weaponized
        BT. This agent can be disseminated as an aerosol by artillery,
        rockets, and aircraft. It can also be disseminated by small boats
        off shore, small trucks, and other vehicles making BT a good
        tactical and terrorist weapon.

            b.  @ Although the current Army protective masks and
        collective protection will protect the snldiarg- @e


            c.  @ The effects of inhaled BT exposure occur in 3-48 hours
        in unprotected service members. Effect is neuromuscular paralysis
        with a high fatality rate.

            d.  @ current vaccine only covers five (A-E) of the seven BT
        strains. Intelligence sources stated that Iraq obtained the BT
        seed culture for the F strain which our
        Current vaccine does provide some immunity. Side effects are
        similar to a typhoid shot.

            e.  @ current vaccine requires informed consent from soldiers
        before administration according to Food and Drug.Administration
        (FDA) guidelines. Relief from this restraint is being pursued
        aggressively.

            f.  @ There are
        available;
        Production base is extremely limited.

            g.  @ Vaccination with
                is recommended for select service members. CENTCOM will
        direct and prioritize the vaccination program, and Services Medical
        Departments will support effort.

 COL Pitt Tomlinson/756-0125
                                            MAJ Robert Eng/756-8163


        CLASSIFIED BY: MULTIPLE SOURCES
        DECLASSIFY ON: OADR

                                     UNCLASSIFIED
                                    SEERE-T

Document 8 f:/Week-36/BX003203/MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL WARFARE THREAT/medical defense against biological warfare threa:11089615084710
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL WARFARE THREAT
Folder Seq # = 9
Subject = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL WARFARE THREA
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