Microbial Agents in Terrorism, Biomarkers, and Public Health Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.jels.2022.012.03.09Abstract
Bioterrorism agents are mostly microorganisms with the capacity to deal explosive and lethal harm to humans, animals, and food crops. These microorganisms spread in the form of gases, whole organisms, or products of secondary metabolism of microorganisms. Classification of the agents is into three categories based on the ease of dissemination and end effects on a living population. While most health institutions are equipped to take care of sick people and treat suspected cases of infections, these institutions lack basic means of identifying bioterrorism acts. Special diagnostic equipment to identify causal organisms or agents is not available. Lack of training on what to do when terrorists strike using biological agents can cumulatively increase the lethal effects of such agents. Molecular techniques of identifying microorganisms to species level are as promising as they are time-consuming, while technical expertise and a conducive environment for managing such equipment are mostly not available in the African setting. The governments in Africa as a matter of urgency should provide an atmosphere where the teaming population of people without jobs are employed, while hospitals are adequately equipped, and training of health workers on what to do immediately after cases of terrorism are reported. The review highlights these agents and the diagnostic tools necessary to facilitate early response to bioterrorism.
Keywords: Bioagents, Bioterrorism, Classification, Identification, Spread.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).