A micro-organism, including those that have been genetically modified, a cell culture and a human endoparasite, which may

be able to provoke any infection, allergy or toxicity. Widely found in the natural environment and as a result found in many work sectors. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi (yeasts and moulds) and parasites. Some of these agents are harmless while others may have potential to cause ill health.

TYPES OF BIOLOGICAL AGENT

ANTHRAX
Is a serious infection caused by the gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria, Bacillus anthracis. In industrialized nations, infection in human was all but nonexistent until the threat of bioterrorism became apparent in late 2001.

Infection occurs through contact with infected animals, products from infected animals, and intentionally tainted materials.
Anthrax is potential biologic weapon because spores can be distributed easily through the mail or other means. People exposed to airborne particles may develop cutaneous, inhalation, or G.I. anthrax, based on the route of exposure.

Mode of Transmission
SIGN & SYMPTOMS

Cutaneous

a papule develops and

Inhalation

Gastrointestinal

ingestion

progresses to vesicle and, ultimately, to necrotic ulcer; fever, malaise, headache. fever, cough, fatigue, and mild chest discomfort occurs and may rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress, diaphoresis, stridor, cyanosis, and signs of meningitis (nuchal rigidity, headache, photophobia, altered mental status); may proceed to shock and death within 24 to 36 hours. nausea, anorexia, fever, severe abdominal pain, hematemesis, and bloody diarrhea may occur

Diagnostic Evaluation
Nasal swab testing may be conducted on several people

to detect contamination by anthrax in the environment, but this does not confirm infection by anthrax in an individual. Testing to confirm disease in an individual includes blood, tissue, and spinal fluid cultures (before antibiotics); polymerase chain reaction testing; and xray to identify mediastinal widening in inhalation anthrax.

Pharmacologic Interventions
Antibiotic prophylaxis after exposure to spores is warranted, and 60 days therapy is advised. Drug recommendations include:

Nursing Interventions
Monitor temperature. Monitor level of consciousness and for meningeal signs Position for maximum chest expansion and reposition frequently to mobilize secretions. Administer I.V. fluids to encourage oral fluid intake to replace the fluid lost through hyperthermia and tachypnea. For G.I. anthrax, maintain G.I decompression, monitor emesis and liquid stool output, and medicate for abdominal pain, as needed. Advice the patient and family that anthrax is not transmitted person to person; one must come in contact with the spores to contact infection

Ciprofloxacin , Doxycycline , Amoxicillin I.V. corticosteroids may be given to adjunct therapy in severe cases. An anthrax vaccine has been available for veterinarians (not routinely used due to low incidence of animal disease).

BOTULISM
is a paralytic illness caused by the neurotoxin produced by clostridium botulinum.

3 Main Kinds of Botulism

Food-borne botulism is

caused by eating foods that contain the botulinum neurotoxin. Wound botulism is caused by neurotoxin produced from a wound that is infected with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Infant botulism occurs when an infant consumes the spores of the botulinum bacteria. The bacteria then grow in the intestines and release the neurotoxin

SYMPTOMS
double vision, blurred vision, drooping

eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing,dry mouth, and muscle weakness .Constipation
Infants with botulism appear lethargic, weak, and

floppy, feed poorly, become constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
brain scan, spinal fluid examination nerve conduction test

mouse inoculation test

stool cultures

TREATMENT
botulism can be treated with

PREVENTION
covering the mouth and nose

an antitoxin that blocks the action of neurotoxin circulating in the blood The antitoxin can prevent the disorder from worsening, but recovery still takes many weeks.

with a scarf. Exposed skin and clothing should be washed with soap and water

Nursing Intervention
If you suspect the patient ate contaminated food, obtain a careful

history of his food intake for the past several days. If the patient ate the food within several hours, induce vomiting, begin gastric lavage, and give a high enema to purge any unabsorbed toxins from the bowel. Before giving anti-toxin, obtain an accurate patient history of allergies. If the patient has difficulty in swallowing, initiate nasogastric tube feedings or TPN as ordered. Suction the patient as needed. Turn the patient often and encourage deep breathing exercises. Position the patient in proper alignment and assist with rangeof-motion exercises. Monitor intake and output.

PLAGUE
is an infectious disease that affects rodents or flea,

certain other animals and humans. It is caused by the yersinia pestis bacteria. These bacteria are found in many areas of the world.

Forms of Plague
Bubonic Plague an infection of the lymph nodes.
fever,headache, chills, weakness, a swollen and tender lymph node Septicemic Plague an infection of

the blood. fever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, necrosis Pneumonic Plague an infection of the lungs fever, headache, weakness and a rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough and sometimes bloody or watery mucous

Transmission
Flea bites Contact with contaminated

Risk factors
include a recent flea bite and

fluid or tissue. Infectious droplets

exposure to rodents, especially rabbits, squirrels, or prairie dogs, or scratches or bites from infected domestic cats.

EXAM AND TEST

Blood culture Culture of lymph node

TREATMENT
Isolation barrier precaution with

aspirate (fluid taken from an affected lymph node or bubo) Sputum culture

full face respirators. The patient should wear a mask. Clothing and linens with body fluids on them should be cleaned with the usual disinfectant. Antibiotics should be given as soon as possible. To prevent a high risk of death in patients with pneumonic plague, preferably within 24hours of the first symptoms. drug of choice streptomycin or gentamicin.

Prevention
Reduce rodent habitat around your home. Remove brush, junk

and possible rodent food supplies, such as pet and wild animal food. Wear gloves if you are handling or skinning potentially infected animals to prevent contact between your skin and the plague bacteria. Use repellent if you think you could be exposed to rodent fleas during activities such as camping, hiking, or working outdoors. Keep fleas off of your pets by applying flea control products. Animals that roam freely are more likely to come in contact with plague infected animals or fleas and could bring them into homes. If your pet becomes sick, seek care from a veterinarian as soon as possible. Do not allow dogs or cats that roam free in endemic areas to sleep on your bed.

SMALLPOX
is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious

disease. There is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. Is an infectious and highly communicable disease characterized by marked symptom during the prodromal period and appearance of the skin eruption which progresses through the stages of macule, papule, vesicle, pustule and crust to end putting sear formation.

ETIOLOGY
Variola Virus is a large

Modes of Transmission:
direct contact through

virus measuring about 200mm in diameter, which contain a DNA core and is thermostable , remaining viable for months in a dry climate.

formites and other contaminated articles droplet infection and secretions 3rd-8th day after onset of fever- it is transmittable. It is the period in which mucous membrane are involved.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
Hyperpyrexia ( 40C-41C),

TREATMENT
Symptomatic and supportive

headache, weakness and backache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, severe muscular and joints pain. RASH

as there is no specific cure Antibiotics are indicated for only secondary bacterial infections

Tularemia
is an infection common in wild rodents that is passed

to humans through contact with infected animal tissues or by ticks, biting flies, and mosquitoes. c Francisella tularensis is considered a potential bioterrorism agent. An aerosol release would be a possible method of infection. Pneumonia cases would start 1 - 10 days after people were exposed. aused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.

Humans can become infected through several routes, including: Tick and deer fly bites Skin contact with infected animals Ingestion of contaminated water Laboratory exposure Inhalation of contaminated dusts or aerosols In addition, humans could be exposed as a result of bioterrorism.

PREVENTION
Steps to prevent tularemia include: Use of insect repellent Wearing gloves when handling sick or dead animals Avoiding mowing over dead animals

TREATMENT
Antibiotics used to treat tularemia include streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin. Treatment usually lasts 10 to 21 days depending on the stage of illness and the medication used. Although symptoms may last for several weeks, most patients completely recover.

SALAMAT PO!!!!!