Could influenza be a possible biological warfare agent? Part II

Abstract

The threat of the use of biological weapons in the current terrorist reality becomes more real. Thus, understanding the present state of knowledge in the early detection of biological warfare agents, including the flu virus, and the possibility of conducting effective virological analyses, becomes a necessity for laboratory diagnosticians, physicians and nurses. The plans to prevent the consequences of a potential biological attack can only be based on the interpretation and extrapolation of hypothetical data, experimental data or can be based on events from the past. The preparation for this threat, which may or may not occur, requires sound knowledge of the causative agent. Spraying such a causative agent in an aerosol form is considered to be an especially dangerous action in the bioterror as it carries a risk to large populations of the people affected. Hypothetical objects of the attack can include places of special population density. Critical places to perform an attack using biological aerosols are highly urbanized areas, which have efficient air conditioning systems (public buildings and subway stations). This paper was presented as a oral presentation of the same title at The International Conference – Advances in Pneumology. October 25–26, 2013 Kassel, Germany [1].