Biological Attack Preparedness

Biological warfare agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or incapacitate people, livestock and crops. The three basic groups of biological agents which would likely be used as weapons are bacteria, viruses, and toxins.  Most biological agents are difficult to grow and maintain and many break down quickly when exposed to sunlight and other environmental factors.  However,  others biological agents such as anthrax spores are very long lived. They can be dispersed by spraying them in the air, or infecting animals which carry the disease to humans as well through food and water contamination.  The resources below discuss biological attack preparedness and examine the risk of biological warfare agents.