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Biological Warfare, Viruses, and Pandemic Survival
| Date post: | 21-Apr-2017 |
| Category: |
Education |
| Upload: | cool-gus-publishing |
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It is very likely we will experience a pandemic in the next 50 years.
It is also likely that we will see the use of biological weapons of mass
destruction.There are three types of weapons of mass destruction: nuclear, biological
and chemical. Most of us are unaware of biological
weapons.
Biological warfare is the use of infectious agents or toxins to incapacitate or kill
humans, plants or animals.Bioterrorism is the same, except not state-
sponsored.
Biological Warfare
As long as there has been warfare, humans have used biological warfare in various
forms.
Biological Warfare
The problem with biological weapons has always been that they are indiscriminate.
They kill the side employing them as much as the side they are used against.
Biological Warfare
What is on the horizon, and probably already developed in secret, are genetic weapons,
which are targeted toward specific ethnicities and/or genotypes.
The implications of such weapons are staggering.
Genetic Weapons
The Black Death killed between 75 to 200 million people between the years 1346-1353.
Plague
Why are the odds of a pandemic high?1. Global population has increased
dramatically.2. People are moving to crowded, central
locations: cities.3. World-wide travel is much faster and more
common.
Pandemic
What are the Six Stages of a pandemic? The World Health Organization has a Six
Stage influenza program, plus two Periods: Stage 1 No animal influenza virus
circulating among animals have been reported to cause infection in humans. Stage 2 An animal influenza virus
circulating in domesticated or wild animals is known to have caused infection in humans and is therefore considered a specific potential pandemic threat. Stage 3 An animal or human-animal
influenza reassortant virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people, but has not resulted in human-to-human transmission sufficient to sustain community-level outbreaks.
Pandemic
What are the Six Stages of a pandemic? Stage 4 Human-to-human transmission of an
animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to sustain community-level outbreaks has been verified. Stage 5 The same identified virus has caused
sustained community level outbreaks in two or more countries in one WHO region. Phase 6 In addition to the criteria defined in
Phase 5, the same virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in at least one other country in another WHO region. LOST PEAK PERIOD Levels of pandemic
influenza in most countries with adequate surveillance have dropped below peak levels. POST PANDEMIC PERIOD Levels of
influenza activity have returned to the levels seen for seasonal influenza in most countries with adequate surveillance.
Pandemic
According to the WHO, if an influenza pandemic were to emerge today, we could expect:
· As people today are highly internationally mobile, the pandemic virus would spread rapidly around the world. · Vaccines, antiviral agents, and antibiotics to
treat secondary infections would quickly be in short supply.· Several months would be needed before any
vaccine became available. This is because some pandemic viruses are new ones. · Medical facilities would be overwhelmed.· There would be sudden and potentially
considerable shortages of personnel to provide vital community services as the illness became widespread.
Biological Warfare
What To Do?Depending on where you live and how much
you travel will determine what your chances of getting infected. If you live in an urban setting, the chances are higher. Whether it’s a pandemic or just the flu, here are basic steps to take:Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
when you cough or sneeze. Throw it away after use.Use a mask if you become aware that
people are getting sick.Wash your hands with soap and water. Use
disinfection. One curious fact brought up in Contagion was the number of times we touch our faces with our hands.
Biological Warfare/Disease
What To Do?Stay away from the sick people. That
sounds easy, but what if you’re a first responder or a health care provider?Stay away from crowds.If it’s a true pandemic, it’s not likely that a
hospital is a place to go as it will quickly become overwhelmed with the sick and dying.The bottom line is to stay aware and isolate
yourself and your team as quickly as possible.
Biological Warfare/Disease
More information on infectious diseases are on another
slideshare, the link is at the end.
Pandemic
Infectious DiseasesThis topic has been central to the books below:
I’m fascinated by history, science, myths, legends, people outside the bell curve, the power of the conscious and subconscious mind, special operations, survival and more.
Cool Gus is mainly interested in food. Then sleep. Then sometimes chasing a ball.But mainly food.
www.bobmayer.com
