Bioterrorism Resources: Online Glossary
This interactive section of the RTNDF Journalist’s Guide to Covering Bioterrorism is made possible with support from BellSouth Corporation. Outside links will will open in a new window.
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Aerosols:
Particles of liquid or solid material small enough to remain airborne indefinitely and thus spread widely. The preferred size range for biological weapons agents is small enough to be easily inhaled but large enough to become lodged in the lungs rather than immediately exhaled.
Aflatoxin:
Although not usually considered a candidate for a biological weapon, aflatoxin was in fact produced on a large scale as a weapon by Iraq in the 1980s and 1990s. Although technically a chemical weapon, it is produced by fungi and therefore sometimes classified with biological weapons.
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Al Qaeda:
Transnational terrorist organization, which various international intelligence sources suggest either has or is developing a biological weapons capability.
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AMRIID:
The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, it does research aimed at medical responses to biological weapons attacks or natural epidemics. Located at Fort Detrick, Md., it houses the military's largest Biosafety Level 4 containment facility.
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Anthrax:
A bacterium that can remain in dormant spore form for decades and can infect the skin, lungs or gastrointestinal system in humans. The pulmonary form (tiny inhalable particles) is the most deadly and considered the most likely form to be used in a biological attack.
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Antibiotics:
Antibiotics, which can treat bacterial diseases, can be effective against plague and anthrax, but are useless against viruses, such as smallpox, and toxins, such as botulinum.
Aum Shinrikyo:
A religious sect in Japan that attempted numerous times to carry out biological weapons attacks, but which did not cause any deaths or disease. In 1995, the group released Sarin, a chemical nerve gas, in the Tokyo subway system, killing 12 people and injuring thousands.
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Australia Group:
A loose association of nations dedicated to controlling the export of any items that could be used to produce biological weapons. It was formed in 1985 to address chemical weapons and began to address biological issues in 1990.
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Avian Flu:
An emerging new disease in humans in late 2003 and early 2004, found only in Vietnam and Thailand as of early 2004. It is considered an example of a new strain of disease that might someday trigger a pandemic.
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Bacterium, Bacteria:
Single-celled organisms, some of which can infect humans, usually through the lungs, skin or intestines, and release destructive toxins.
Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BWC):
The primary covenant governing biological weapons today, the Convention prohibits all activity associated with offensive biological weapons production. First signed in 1972, 167 countries now are signatories, and 151 have ratified it.
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Biopreparat:
The massive Soviet biological weapons program that produced hundreds of tons of anthrax and tens of tons of smallpox and plague, among other agents. Before the Soviet Union collapsed, Biopreparat employed more than 30,000 people at more than 40 sites.
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Biosafety:
Containment levels have been defined by the CDC for Biosafety Levels 1 through 4, reflecting increasing danger. Each level requires a specific set of clearly defined protective clothing, ventilation, construction, etc.
Bioweapon:
A biological weapon; that is, a type of bacteria, virus, or biologically produced toxin that can or might be made into a weapon.
Botulinum:
A toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is one of the most poisonous known substances. The CDC lists it as a Category A biological agent.
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Botulism:
A rare but serious paralytic illness caused by the botulinum nerve toxin. All forms of botulism can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies.
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Brucella:
A toxin produced by bacterium, which is considered a potential bioweapon. The CDC lists it as a Category B agent.
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Bubonic Plague:
Usually transmitted by flea bites, this form of the bacterial (Yersinia pestis) disease was responsible for the Black Death in medieval Europe and was used as a weapon by Japan against China in World War II. It is considered an unlikely weapon in modern times because the inhalational (pneumonic) form is considered capable of causing much higher casualties.
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BWC:
See Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention.
Category A:
The group of biological agents currently believed by the CDC to pose the greatest threat as biological weapons. Category A includes anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, botulinum and viral hemorrhagic fevers.
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Category B:
Potential biological weapons listed by the CDC as being moderately easy to disseminate. They can cause moderate amounts of disease and low fatalitity rates but may require specific public-health action.
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Category C:
Described by the CDC as emerging infectious disease threats that might at some point be engineered to produce biological weapons. The CDC names Hantavirus and Nipah virus in this category.
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CBN:
Chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Also known collectively as weapons of mass destruction.
CBW:
Chemical and biological weapons.
CDC:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This U.S. agency, based in Atlanta, Ga., is responsible for protecting the health and safety of people by developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities.
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Chemical Weapons:
Weapons using chemical agents to affect the skin, eyes, circulatory system, nervous system and/or respiratory system. Examples include tear gas, sarin and cyanide.
Cidofovir:
An antiviral treatment option for those suffering from adverse reactions to the smallpox vaccine.
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Ciprofloxacin:
An antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as anthrax and plague.
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Contagion, Contagious:
The process by which one person infected with a disease passes it to another, either through direct skin contact, inhaled droplets or contact with contaminated materials. Some potential biological weapons, such as anthrax and botulism, are not contagious, while smallpox and plague are highly contagious.
Cuba:
One of the nations currently on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism.
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Cutaneous:
Contracted through direct contact with the skin. Among possible biological weapons, anthrax, plague and smallpox can be contracted cutaneously, as can the toxins botulinum and mycotoxins.
Doxycycline:
An antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections, including anthrax and plague.
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Ebola:
A viral hemorrhagic fever with fatality rates ranging from 50 to 90 percent, Ebola has gained public notoriety in books and movies.
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Eczema:
A condition characterized by scratchy, itchy, red, dry, blistered and/or leathery skin.
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Encephalitis:
Swelling of brain tissues, which can be caused by a variety of viral and bacterial diseases.
Enterotoxin B:
A toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria. It is listed by the CDC as a Category B potential bioweapon.
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Epidemic:
An outbreak of disease that attacks many people at about the same time and may spread through one or several communities.
Epsilon Toxin:
Produced by the bacteria Clostridium per fringens and a common cause of food poisoning. It is listed by the CDC as a Category B of potential bioweapons.
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FEMA:
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration. In case of a national emergency, including a biological weapons attack, this agency would be responsible for coordinating local and imported emergency response teams.
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Flu:
See Influenza.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD):
A disease of cattle, it might be used as a weapon because of its potential economic impact on beef sales, especially for export.
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Fungus:
A group of relatively primitive and often parasitic organisms, including mushrooms, yeasts, rusts, molds, and smuts, some of which produce mycotoxins.
Gastrointestinal:
Pertaining to the stomach and intestines.
Geneva Protocol:
The first multinational covenant to address chemical and biological weapons, the Geneva Protocol was signed in 1925.
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Gentamicin:
An antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections, Gentamicin is administered intravenously and is therefore less efficient to administer in mass quantities.
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Glanders:
A highly lethal bacterial disease that can kill 50 percent of those exposed. Has been developed as a bioweapon and was used against livestock by Germany in World War I. The CDC lists it as a Category B potential bioweapon.
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Hantavirus:
Carried by rodents and mostly transmitted through their droppings, this virus causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which has now been identified in nine countries. The CDC lists it as a Category C potential bioweapon.
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Hemorrhage:
Uncontrollable bleeding. Some biological agents cause death primarily through hemorrhaging, including the viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs).
HHS:
Health and Human Services, the federal cabinet-level agency under which the CDC, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies are based.
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Incubation Period:
The time between exposure to a disease or toxin and the appearance of the first symptoms. For most potential biological weapons, this can range from a day or two to a month or more. (See Latency).
Infection:
The invasion of a body by microorganisms (bacteria, viruses or fungi), which can reproduce in the body to produce disease or can remain dormant for long periods.
Infective, Infectious:
Capable of causing infection.
Influenza (Flu):
A common viral infection with initial symptoms, such as fever, chills, nausea, cough, that closely resemble those of many biological agents. The resemblance makes flu a likely initial diagnosis for a disease actually caused by a bioterror attack.
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Inoculation:
Introduction of a vaccine (or other material) into the body.
Inversion:
A weather condition that can exacerbate the effects of the release of an outdoor biological agent, in which a cold layer of air traps warmer air close to the ground, preventing vertical mixing of air and allowing an aerosol to remain at ground level. Inversions generally occur at night, sunrise and sunset, but can persist for days.
Iran:
One of the nations currently on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. Iran is presently believed to have large stockpiles of biological weapons, but the details of its program are unknown.
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Iraq:
One of the nations that was on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. Iraq was known to possess large quantities of biological weapons during the 1990s, but after the U.S. attack in 2003 its biological weapons program appeared to have been terminated and no weapons or facilities for making them were found. In the past, Iraq was known to have developed weapons using aflatoxin and botulinum.
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Isolation:
The sequestration of an infected individual to prevent the spread of infection to others.
Israel:
Israel is believed to have a biological weapons program, but the details are not known.
Japan:
Japan's Unit 731 used biological weapons on the Chinese people before and during World War II. The agents used included anthrax, cholera and plague.
Latency:
The period between exposure to a disease (bacteria or virus) and the onset of symptoms, or after an initial set of symptoms in certain diseases, which can then produce a relapse.
Mad Cow Disease (MCD):
A disease of cattle, it could be used as a weapon to produce economic harm. The first U.S. cases of the disease were discovered in late 2003.
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Marburg:
A viral hemorrhagic fever closely related to Ebola.
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Melioidosis:
A disease caused by the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria, it is listed by the CDC as a Category B potential bioweapon.
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Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS):
This program, originated in 1996, was developed to increase coordination at all levels in the event of any incident involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Managed by the Office of Emergency Response (OER), it works with local police, fire, hazmat, EMS, hospital, public health and other emergency-response personnel in the event of a terrorist attack.
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Milling:
A mechanical process for powdering biological agents (bacteria or viruses) to produce uniform particles tiny enough to remain aloft in the air for long periods and be easily inhaled and become lodged in the lung.
Monkeypox:
An animal disease from central Africa, known since 1970 to be capable of infecting humans, produced a U.S. outbreak in July, 2003. The transmission was blamed on prairie dogs that were kept as pets. The disease is related to smallpox but produces milder symptoms.
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Mycotoxins:
Toxins produced by fungi. Some, such as Tricothene mycotoxins, have been used as biological weapons.
NDMS:
The National Disaster Medical System is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), FEMA, state and local governments, private businesses and civilian volunteers. Its purpose is to coordinate response to a natural or terrorist emergency at all levels.
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Nipah Virus:
A "new" virus discovered in Malaysia in 1999 and closely related to the Hendra virus in Australia. Both of these are Paramyxoviridae. It has a high mortality rate (50 percent) and is listed by the CDC as a Category C potential bioweapon.
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North Korea:
One of the nations currently on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. North Korea is suspected to have a large stockpile of biological weapons, but details are not known.
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Nosocomial Spread:
The contraction of a disease while in a hospital. During an epidemic, this can become a significant route for the spread of disease unless countermeasures are carefully followed.
Orthopox:
A family of viruses including smallpox, monkeypox and cowpox.
Pandemic:
When an epidemic spreads throughout much of the world.
Pathogen:
Any agent (such as a virus, bacteria, fungus or toxin) that causes a disease.
Plague:
A bacterial infection that can infect humans and was responsible for the "Black Death" in the Middle Ages. It occurs in three forms: bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic. Pneumonic plague, the only contagious form, is thought to be the most likely to be used in a bioterror attack.
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Pneumonic:
Contracted through the lungs, as in pneumonic plague or pneumonic anthrax.
Psittacosis:
A disease caused by the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria, it is listed by the CDC as a Category B potential bioweapon.
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Pulmonary:
Pertaining to the lungs.
Q Fever:
A bacterial disease, listed by the CDC as a Category B potential bioweapon.
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Quaratine:
The sequestration or restriction to a given area of individuals who may have been exposed to a disease but have not yet shown signs or symptoms of the disease, or those who have developed symptoms and must be kept apart from others not exposed to the disease.
Rajneeshee Cult:
The religious cult that deliberately contaminated salad bars with Salmonella in Oregon in 1984. Hundreds became ill, but no one died. This was the first incident of biological terrorism in the United States.
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Rickettsiae:
Bacteria that respond to antibiotics but have longer incubation periods like viruses and are not contagious. Rickettsiae include Q fever and typhus.
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Ricin:
A toxin produced by castor beans. It is included in the CDC's Category B of potential bioweapon. It was used in mail attacks on a Senate office building in Washington in early 2004, but no deaths resulted.
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Salmonella:
A type of bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms when ingested.
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Sarin:
A human-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent, used by Aum Shinrikyo in terrorist attacks in Japan.
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SARS:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, first reported in early 2003. Although not considered a potential biological weapon, it is an example of the kind of emerging new diseases that might, naturally or through genetic engineering, someday become a potential weapon.
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Sepsis, septicemia, septicemic:
The presence of bacteria in the blood.
Smallpox:
A contagious viral disease that has killed hundreds of millions of people through history, it was the first disease ever eradicated from natural occurrence in humans, with the last natural case in 1977. However, reserves of the disease remain, and it is perhaps the most feared potential bioweapon.
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Soviet Union:
The former Soviet Union had a massive biological weapons program called Biopreparat that employed tens of thousands of scientists and produced mass quantities of a wide range of biological agents. The whereabouts of many of the scientists and many of the samples of biological agents are unknown. It is feared many of the scientists may now be in the employ of nations or subnational groups seeking offensive biological weapons programs and may have brought samples of agents with them.
Spores:
Bacteria in a dormant, often dehydrated form, that can be very resistant to degradation by heat, ultraviolet and other agents that would destroy the living bacterium. Anthrax is one potential bioweapon that could be distributed as an aerosol in spore form.
Stability:
The ability of a biological agent to retain its ability to cause disease over time and to resist degradation by heat or cold, UV radiation and other factors.
State Sponsors of Terrorism:
The State Department's May 2002 report, "Patterns of Global Terrorism," includes a list of nations believed to be state sponsors of terrorism. The list, which has not been updated, currently includes Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Syria and Sudan. Of these, Iraq (now being administered by a multinational coalition) and Libya (which has agreed to international inspections) no longer appear to belong.
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Streptomycin:
An antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections, streptomycin is administered intravenously and is therefore less efficient to administer in mass quantities.
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Sudan:
One of the nations currently on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism.
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Sverdlovsk:
The location of an accidental release of anthrax from a Soviet bioweapons facility in 1979. At least 68 people were killed.
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Syria:
One of the nations currently on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism.
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Tabun:
A man-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent.
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Tokyo:
The location of the chemical weapons attack by the Aum Shinrikyo cult in 1995. The cult released the nerve agent Sarin into the Tokyo subway system, killing 12.
Toxins:
Poisonous substances produced by many types of organisms, including bacteria, animals and plants.
Transmission:
The passing of a contagious disease from one individual to another.
Tularemia:
A bacterial infection (Francisella tularensis) that is not contagious but is highly infectious. Tularemia can infect humans through various routes, but the most likely route in a bioterror attack is thought to be inhalation of an aerosol.
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Typhus Fever:
A disease caused by the Rickettsia prowazekii bacteria, it is listed by the CDC as a Category B potential bioweapon.
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Unit 731:
The notorious Japanese army unit that used biological weapons such as cholera, plague and anthrax on Chinese people before and during World War II.
United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM):
The commission established in the wake of the Gulf War to oversee the destruction of weapo
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