Explained: What are biological weapons and how they are transmitted
In this age of conspiracy theories and constantly evolving socio-political scenario, almost everyone is aware of the term biological weapon. While the term became popular during the world war, biological weapons have been in use as early as 14th century. One of the most widely-known usage of biological weapons certainly dates back to the World War I when Germany made a planned move to infect the cattle of the Allied forces with the help of infectious agent glanders, a bacterial disease that primarily affects cattle but can be transmitted to humans. According to various sources, Germans also tried to spread plague in Russia in 1915. Fortunately, the use of biological weapons is now banned in most countries. But that doesn’t mean they no longer exist. Here is all you need to know about biological weapons.
What are biological weapons?
For those of you who aren’t acquainted with the term biological weapons, here’s what they mean. They refer to the toxic materials produced from pathogenic organisms (especially microbes such as bacteria, fungi and viruses) which are designed for warfare. They are highly toxic, easily obtainable, inexpensive, easily communicable and above all has no known cure. They are artificially created toxins that are produced for the sole purpose of intentionally harming, killing or incapacitating the host, one way or the other. Biological weapons are launched upon all kinds of living beings, be it humans, animals or vegetation.
How are biological weapons transmitted?
By now you have understood that biological weapons aren’t that hard to manufacture as microbes are readily available. However, the trouble is distributing the weapons once they are ready for use. The most common way since ages has been of course through aerosols (suspended in a gaseous medium). But, years of experiment have proved that this medium can often turn out to be ineffective as the materials (especially solid particles) often get clogged while spraying. At other times, they simply get destroyed after exposure to UV light or rain for too long.
Keeping these factors in mind, in modern times, people have found an alternative way to distribute potential biological weapon. In this method, the toxins need to be attached to a bomb. As soon as it explodes, the toxins get released into the air and do its job. But this method has been rejected on the grounds that the toxins might get destroyed in process.
Therefore, after much analysis, experts have found out that the best proven way to transmit a biological weapon is to simply release a large amount through food chains and water supplies.
Potential biological weapons
Here is a list of certain biological organisms that have the capacity to act as potential biological weapons.
Smallpox: This is an acute and infectious viral disease (often fatal in nature) with the scientific name Variola. Once upon a time, it was readily available in nature. However, smallpox virus can now only be obtained from laboratory supplies and can directly affect humans on a large scale. This virus can infect a person either through direct contact with bodily fluids or through inhalation. Once affected, a person will show signs of persistent fever, nausea, rashes, and boils.
RICIN Protein toxin: This kind of toxin can be easily extracted from castor bean plants and affects humans at large. The mode of transmission is either through food or water, inhalation, or injection. Diseases caused by RICIN are pulmonary edema, diarrhoea, fever with cough as well as severe abdominal pain.
Clostridium Perfringens: This toxin name can be easily found in soils and affects the intestines of both humans as well as animals. These harmful bacteria are usually transmitted through open wounds and can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain and even gangrene.