DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

File: 123096_sep96_decls1_0104.txt
Page: 0104
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








              order to reach a tentative diagnosis as soon as possible after realizing that
              a biological weapon or biological sabotage has been applied.  The data bases
              should suggest treatment and measures to prevent further spread of the
              disease.  This information should lead to immediate action within few hours.
              Definitive action Must probably wait several hours or even days for the
              relatively slow laboratory procedures to lead to an accurate and precise
              diagnosis.

              1009.  An early warning is unlikely in case of sabotage actions, and a
              detection of an aerosol is not yet possible. Preventive medical measures such
              as a high level hygienic barrier and a reasonable immunization status together
              with a good intelligence service are the best means to protect a population
              against a disastrous result if a biological weapon is applied.

              PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECTS

              1010. Following an effective attack, depending upon the agent employed, the
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              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 significanc cause of secondary spread of disease. The
              problems of maintaining proper water and food sanitation, will differ from
              soldiers at the front to those in the rear areas and even more in the civilian
              population where there may be little or no education in this field.
              1011. Following a biological agent attack, all food except canned or
ed prior to consumption. All
              food should be inspected to ensure that it was adequacely protected while
              exposed to the infectious cloud. Thorough cooking would make foods safe for
              consumption unless they are contaminated with certain heat-stable toxins such
              as staphylococcal enterotoxin B or heat-resistant spores such as anthrax.
              Thorough cooking means thac all parts have been heated close co the boiling
              point for 15 minu@es. All foods determined to be safe must be protected
              against secondary contamination. These measures must be practised by those
              who transport, store, prepare and serve food, also those who eat the food.
              When applicable, consideration must be given to control measures necessary to
              prevent contamination of food by insects and rodents. Cans should be
              decontaminated by chemical means, boiling or flaming, prior to opening. After
              this the contents are safe to eat with or without heating.

              1012. Experience from training and exercises has shown how difficult it is to
              maintain satisfactory personal and area field hygiene, particularly in
              unfamiliar climates. Very strict measures are required concerning the
              treatment of waste and sewage as well as management of latrines. The risk of
              a biological attack highlights the necessity of giving training in these
              measures in order to be prepared to reduce as much as possible the effects of
              such an attack.   96
              1013. Water surveillance and area water sanitation control measures, if
              indicated, must be instituted immediately after a biological attack. The best
              assurance that water is safe to use, prior to the time thac surveillance and
              application of area control measures are accomplished, is to boil the water
Under most circumstances following a biological


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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