Curiosity

Biological Warfare The intended usage of infectious and disease-provoking biological agents (such as bacteria or viruses) to harm, incapacitate or kill any living organism as a perpetuated act of violence, biological warfare has been prevalent ever since humanity has engaged in conflict and hostilities. Below are some events and incidents from across the world that depict the initial applications of this type of warfare: 1495: Under Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Spanish blended wine with the blood of leprosy patients and offered it to the French. 1710: Russian soldiers launched human bodies contaminated with the oriental plague into Swedish cities. 1763: when the English distributed blankets infected with Smallpox to the Local Americans. Even in the timeless Hindu legends Ramayan and Mahabharat, toxic arrows were utilized to harm the opposition. Additionally, during the Indo-Pakistan battle of 1965, a scrub typhus episode in Northeastern India faced scrutiny and suspicion. India’s protection and knowledge outfits were then made aware of during the episode of pneumonic plague – notable in Biological Warfare – in Surat, and the Bubonic plague in Beed in 1994, which caused a few deaths and sizable financial misfortune. During The Second Great War, reports coursed that Germany was delivering Horses and cattle infected with Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax) and Glanders to the Allied Forces. This was used in the USA, Spain, Argentina, Romania, France and Norway. Furthermore, about 10,000 prisoners are believed to have died via a direct effect of experimental infection during the Japanese program between 1932 and 1945. These experiments caused various diseases among anthrax, cholera and plague. In later years, Japanese officials claimed that these incidents were “most regrettable from the viewpoint of humanity”. Fighting against bioterrorism necessitates a comprehensive approach, encompassing deterrence, prevention, surveillance, assessment, laboratory investigations for diagnosis and sensitivity as well as medical management. Deterrence is achieved through strict laws, penalties, and public awareness campaigns to discourage potential perpetrators. Prevention involves proactive measures such as enhancing security, strengthening border controls, and promoting international cooperation. Surveillance and assessment focus on early detection and response, monitoring disease patterns, and utilizing advanced detection systems. By implementing these strategies in a coordinated manner, governments, organizations, and communities can effectively prevent, detect, and respond to bioterrorist threats, thereby safeguarding public health and security.