Is Yersinia pestis an agent for bioterrorism?
Plague as a Biological Weapon Plague is currently considered to be one of the most serious bioterrorism threats. Y. pestis was developed as an aerosol weapon by several countries in the past.
How was the bubonic plague used as a biological weapon?
During the Middle Ages, victims of the bubonic plague were used for biological attacks, often by flinging fomites such as infected corpses and excrement over castle walls using catapults. Bodies would be tied along with cannonballs and shot towards the city area.
How can Yersinia pestis be transmitted?
The plague bacteria, Yersinia pestis, is transmitted to humans through the bites of fleas that have previously fed on infected animals, such as: Rats. Mice. Squirrels.
In which form of plague Yersiniosis will it be most effective as a bioterror agent?
Pneumonic plague is more likely to be associated with an aerosolized release of Yersinia pestis during a bioterrorism attack.
What is the most effective weapon against Yersinia pestis?
Aminoglycosides: streptomycin and gentamicin Streptomycin is the most effective antibiotic against Y. pestis and the drug of choice for treatment of plague, particularly the pneumonic form (2-6).
Is Yersinia pestis a biological weapon?
Among the list of more than 50 microorganisms and toxins designed and manipulated for warfare are smallpox, anthrax, cholera and plague. Biological warfare agents exist. Among them is one of the most transmissible and deadliest microorganisms: Yersinia pestis .
Is Yersinia pestis used as a biological weapon?
As Yersinia pestis can be easily obtained and cultured and is highly pathogenic for humans, it poses a serious threat of being used for bioterrorism purposes. Artificially created aerosol containing plague bacilli can cause numerous and almost simultaneous cases of primary pulmonic plague in an exposed population.
Is the bubonic plague airborne?
Yersinia pestisis a gram negative, bacillus shaped bacteria that prefers to reside in an environment lacking oxygen (anaerobic). It is typically an organism that uses the process of fermentation to break down complex organic molecules to metabolize.
Is pneumonic plague worse than bubonic?
Pneumonic plague is more serious and less common than bubonic plague. The total reported number of cases of all types of plague in 2013 was 783. Left untreated, pneumonic plague is nearly always fatal.
