High-Threat Biological Agents: Characteristics, Effects, and Policy Implications (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Oct. 30, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RL31864 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Dana A. Shea, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The anthrax mailings in 2001, which culminated in 5 deaths, 22 infections, and contamination
of
both postal and congressional buildings, intensified concerns about terrorist use of biological agents.
This event increased Congressional interest in actions to limit the vulnerability of the United States
to such attacks. High-threat biological agents, defined by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention as Category A pathogens, are considered relatively easy to disseminate, have high
mortality, and have the potential for major public health impacts.
High-threat biological agents cause different symptoms in their victims, depending on the
pathogen. Since the nature of these agents differs, no single treatment can be given in the case of
a biological attack. As a result, treatment of the victims of a biological attack, especially one which
is covert, may be difficult. The identification process for many pathogens may be complicated by
their incubation period, and the lack of distinct symptoms early in the disease's progress. The
difficulties in treating the various high-threat agents may place strain on the resources of the medical
system, especially in the case of mass casualties.
Protection from biological agents is an area of active research and development. The range of
protection and detection equipment available to first responders has led to questions regarding
equipment standardization and state and local preparedness. Development and distribution of
vaccines continues to be a contentious issue. Attempts to detect biological releases using sensor
technologies, or through analyzing public health data, continue to be implemented, but these
technologies are in relatively early stages of development.
It is unclear whether terrorist groups are capable of effectively using biological agents as
weapons of mass destruction, but the relatively small amounts of pathogen that may be needed to
execute a significant attack is a source of concern. Some suggest that terrorist interest in biological
agents is increasing. However, others assert that technical difficulties would make mass casualty
attacks unlikely.
Current policies seek to reduce the proliferation of biological weapons by relying on both
domestic and international controls, to increase the number of countermeasures available against
such pathogens through research and development activities, to improve the nation's ability to detect
pathogen releases, and to increase the ability of hospitals and care providers to treat mass casualties.
Policymakers may be called upon to further address potential biological terrorism
vulnerabilities, including overseeing the use of atmospheric monitoring equipment for pathogen
detection; the direction of continued research and development into biological agent detectors;
review of further research into protective equipment, prophylaxis and treatment against high-threat
pathogens; and assessment of first responder emergency preparedness. This report will be updated
as events warrant.
