MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 123096_sep96_decls27_0018.txt
Page: 0018
Total Pages: 34

Subject: MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL             

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003203

Folder Title: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 3106                                                         

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         28





                                       UNCLASSIFIED








                                     SECTION II



                    MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL


                               SPECIFIC T    T AGENTS


                                      A,NT@



          CLINICAL SYNDROME

            Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by          anthracis.
          Under natural conditions, humans become infected by contact
          with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

            Human anthrax usually is manifested by cutaneous lesions. A
          biological warfare attack with anthrax spores delivered by
          aerosol would cause inhalation anthrax, an extraordinarily rare
          form of the naturally occurring disease.

            Clinical Features: The disease begins after an incubation
          period varying from 1-6 days, presumably dependent upon the
          dose of inhaled organisms. Onset is gradual and nonspecific,
          with fever, malaise, and fatigue, sometimes is association with
          a non-productive cough and mild chest discomfort. In some
          cases, there may be a short period of improvement. The initial
          symptoms are followed in 2-3 days by the abrupt development of
          severe respiratory distress with dyspnea, diaphoresis, stridor,
          and cyanosis. Physical findings may include evidence of
          pleural effusions, edema of the chest wall, and meningitis.
          Chest X-ray reveals a dramatically widened mediastinum, often
          with pleural effusions, but typically without infiltrates.
          Shock and death usually follow within 24-36 hours of
          respiratory distress onset.


          DIAGNOSIA

               Routine Laboratory Findinas: Laboratory evaluation will
            reveal a neutrophilic leukocytosis. When pleural effusions
            and evidence of meningitis are present, pleural and
            cerebrospinal fluids may be hemorrhagic.

 Diaanosis. An epidemic of inhalation
            anthrax in its early stage with non-specific symptoms could


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                                        UNCLASSIFIED

Document 34 f:/Week-36/BX003203/FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 3106/medical countermeasures against biological mater:12179609282028
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 3106
Folder Seq # = 28
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 = 17-DEC-1996