DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

File: 123096_sep96_decls1_0059.txt
Page: 0059
Total Pages: 109

Subject: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS       

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003203

Folder Title: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS                                       

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         21












            Bjor OGICAL MATERIAL MFTE@,mTO)l ANn @ZTVSTCAL CO@TNTE'@RMFASURL7S



                                  INTRODUCMTION

      1.    There are a number of ways in which biological material can be
      disseminated and, although other 7)os-q-ibil-i-ties should not be ignored, the
      greatest danger, in the present crisis, is assessed to he from the
      dissemination of a biological aerosol from low flying aircraft or a boat
      operating 10 - 100 kms iinwin(-i  of the target area. On target attacks with
      biological agents disseminated    from bomblets delivered by missiles are also
      possible, but suffer from the     obvious (ii--aci@r;intage comnared to off-target
      attacks that they could not be    carried out without the Defenders knowledge,
      whereas the attacker might horse that an off- target attack would not be
      recognised until casualties ber-yin to occur by which time attribution might
      be difficult.

      2.    An attack by the off-target release of a biological aerosol is more
      likely to take nlace at night for several reasons.

                                                            more favourable
            @k.  The meteorological conditions         are                       to the
            attacker,    "-Decially over land.          The difference      between the
            meteorology during the day and at night is usually less marked over
            the sea.

            b.   Some biological agents decay rapi-dlv in sunlight although there
            are notable exceptions.

            C..  Tactically, it would be easier to release a biological aerosol
            without being detected by carryingout the oneration tinder the cover of
            darkness.

      --t is therefore concluded, that although day time attacks cannot be ruled
      out, the first priority must be to take Precautions
      during the hours of darkness.


                                      DEFENSIVE MEAST7RES

nter-related defensive measures to a biological
      threat. These are:

            a.   Military surveillance of key sectors should prevent an attacker
            disseminating a biological aerosol from a ship, aircraft or ground
            based source.
                             96
            b.   Medical defensive      measures to     T3rotect personnel      at risk
            against infection or intoxication.

            47.  Physical defensive measures to reduce the risk of -Dersonnel
            inhaling any biological aerosol which may be r.)resent.

            d.   Early detection.

Document 109 f:/Week-36/BX003203/DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS/detection of medical defense against biological :1217960927452
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Folder Seq # = 21
Subject = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL
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 = 17-DEC-1996