Biological weapons are special ammunition and combat devices with delivery systems equipped with biological agents.
The basis of the damaging effect of biological weapons is biological agents - biological agents specially selected for combat use, capable of causing severe infectious diseases in the event of penetration into the body of people, animals (plants), ending in death or incapacitation of the affected person for a long time in the absence of timely treatment.
The damaging effect of biological weapons does not appear immediately, but after a certain time (incubation period), which depends both on the type and number of pathogenic microbes that have entered the body and the amount of their toxins, and on the physical condition of the body. The most common incubation period lasts from 2 to 5 days.
The following pathogens of serious infectious diseases can be used to affect people:
from viruses- causative agents of smallpox, yellow fever, etc.;
from bacteria- pathogens of anthrax, tularemia, plague, brucellosis, glanders, etc.;
from rickettsia- causative agents of Q fever, typhus, etc.;
from the class of fungi- causative agents of coccidioidomycosis, etc.;
among bacterial toxins- botulinum toxin, etc.
To defeat farm animals, pathogens that are dangerous for both humans and animals (anthrax, foot and mouth disease, etc.) or that affect only people can be used.
For the defeat of agricultural crops, it is possible to use pathogens of linear stem rust, potato late blight, etc.
Methods of combat use Biological means are based on the ability of microbes in natural conditions to penetrate the human body in the following ways:
With air through the respiratory organs;
With food and water through the digestive tract;
Through intact skin as a result of bites from infected blood-sucking arthropods;
Through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes and through damaged skin.
Based on this, the methods of combat use are determined - aerosol, transmission, sabotage.
Biological weapons one of the most brutal means of warfare. The presence of a real threat of the sudden use of biological weapons, as well as the emergence of critical outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases among the population, can everywhere cause fear, panic and disrupt the work of economic activities.
History reference
The idea of using disease-causing microbes during the war was attractive because infectious diseases lead to large human losses. For example, in 1741, out of 27,000 people died from yellow fever, from 1733 to 1865. during the period of hostilities in Europe, about 8 million soldiers died, of which 1.5 million were combat losses, and 6.5 million were from infectious diseases.
The first historical fact of the use of biological weapons was recorded in the Crimea in 1347. By order of Dzhanabek, the body of a man who died from the plague was thrown into the territory of the besieged fortress of Kafa (Feodosia). A plague broke out in the fortress. In 1763, the North American colonizers used the smallpox pathogen.
The first purposeful and systematic development of biological weapons began at the turn of the 20th century.
During the First World War, Germany used anthrax and glanders against agricultural livestock.
Due to the primitiveness of the methods of application, the damage to the use of BW turned out to be small. However, the fact of the use of BW caused a wave of protests all over the world, which led to the signing on June 17, 1925 in Geneva of the “Protocol on the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Similar Gases and Bacteriological Means”.
Before the Second World War, the most intensive work on the development and use of BW was carried out by Japan.
In 1939, 2 military research centers were built on the territory of Manchuria and a special army formation was created - "detachment 731" with its own experimental training ground. Tests were carried out not only on animals, but also on prisoners of war citizens of China, the USA, the USSR, causing the death of almost 3,000 people.
From 1940-1944, the Japanese army used biological agents (anthrax, plague, cholera, typhoid fever, etc.) 11 times against civilians and troops. The plague alone killed 700 people.
In 1941, the United States joined in research work on the creation of BO, and the most large-scale work was carried out in the 50-60s.
The adoption in 1972 of the "Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction" was a great victory for the world community. However, research centers in the United States and other countries continue to improve biological weapons.
The present time is characterized by the use of biological agents by terrorists. In 2001, envelopes with anthrax agents were distributed in the United States by Arab terrorists of Bin Laden. In total, 5-7 g of anthrax spores were sent in envelopes. 5 people died, and the cost of disinfection amounted to 5 billion dollars.
IMPACT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Nuclear weapons are explosive weapons of mass destruction based on the use of intranuclear energy released during chain reactions of fission of heavy nuclei of some uranium and plutonium isotopes or during thermonuclear fusion reactions of light nuclei - hydrogen isotopes / deuterium and tritium / into heavier ones, for example, isotope nuclei helium.
These weapons include various nuclear munitions /warheads of missiles, torpedoes, aircraft and depth charges, artillery shells and mines equipped with nuclear chargers/, means of controlling them and delivering them to the target /carriers/.
Depending on the type of charge, there are:
atomic weapons / fission chain reactions are used /;
thermonuclear weapons /synthesis of light nuclei/;
combined charges;
neutron weapons.
Nuclear weapons of all types are usually divided depending on the power into:
Extra small (g< 1кт);
Small (g = 1-10ct);
Medium(g = 10-100kt);
Large (g = 100-1000ct);
Super-large (g>1000ct).
The type of explosion (underground, above-ground, air, high-altitude (H>10 km), underwater, surface) depends on the tasks, properties of the object, characteristics of the carrier.
The main damaging factors of nuclear weapons:
shock wave;
Light emission;
penetrating radiation;
Radioactive contamination of the area;
electromagnetic impulse.
4.1. Impact of a shock wave.
The source of the shock wave is the high pressure in the center of the explosion (1011 kPa).
The shock wave consists of a compression phase and a rarefaction phase.
Depending on the medium in which the shock wave is formed and propagated, it is called air, shock wave in water and seismic explosive wave in soil.
Up to 50% of the released energy is spent on the formation of an air shock wave.
An air shock wave is a region of sharp compression of air, propagating in all directions from the center of the explosion at supersonic speed (335 m / s).
Main characteristics:
excess pressure (ΔPf) - the difference between the normal atmospheric pressure in front of the wave front and the maximum pressure in the shock wave front (ΔPf = Pf - P0);
(unit Pa);
velocity head (ΔPsk) is a dynamic load that is created by the air flow (unit Pa);
The duration of the shock wave (tw) is measured in seconds.
The impact of the shock wave on buildings and structures causes complete, strong, medium and weak destruction.
Complete destruction is characterized by the collapse of all the main elements of buildings / structures /, including load-bearing structures.
Strong - characterized by the destruction of load-bearing structures and ceilings of the upper floors, the formation of cracks in the walls and the deformation of the ceilings of the lower floors.
Medium - the destruction of the roof, internal partitions, the occurrence of cracks in the walls of the upper floors.
Weak - destruction of windows, doors, partial destruction of the roof.
The value of excess pressures at which weak, medium, strong and complete destructions occur depend on the structures, the material used for the structure and are given in the tables.
The shock wave in unprotected people and animals causes traumatic injury and concussion. Damage can be direct or indirect.
In humans, 4 degrees of damage are distinguished:
Contusions and injuries of an extremely severe degree of damage (ΔPf ≥ 100 kPa) are characterized by fractures of large bearing bones, ruptures of organs / liver, spleen, aorta, ventricles of the brain, etc. / These injuries lead to instant death;
Concussions and severe injuries / ΔPf = 60-100 kPa/. Characterized by fractures of individual bones, concussion, severe bruising of the entire body. These injuries lead to the death of people and animals within a week;
Moderate injuries / ΔPf = 40-60 kPa/ - dislocations, damage to the limbs, concussion of the brain, damage to the hearing organs, bleeding from the nose and ears.
Light lesions / ΔPf = 20-40 kPa/ - ringing in the ears, dizziness, headache.
4.2. Exposure to light radiation
Under the light radiation of a nuclear explosion is understood the electromagnetic radiation of the optical range in the visible, ultraviolet and infrared regions of the spectrum. Up to 35% of the energy of a nuclear explosion is spent on the formation of light radiation.
Main settings:
Light pulse - the amount of energy of light radiation, falling for the entire time of radiation per unit area of a fixed unshielded surface located perpendicular to the direction of direct radiation \ J / m2 \
The duration of the light pulse depends on the power of the explosion (q) and is determined by the formula
The magnitude of the light pulse depends on:
From the power and type of explosion;
Distance from the center of the explosion;
weakening of the atmosphere,
Shielding by vegetation, smoke, dust, etc.
The essence of the impact of light radiation lies in the fact that a huge amount of radiant energy is emitted from the luminous area in an extremely short period of time, as a result of which the irradiated objects are rapidly heated, charring or ignition of combustible materials and burning of living tissues.
Under the influence of the initial brightness of the flash, blinding of a person and animals occurs for a duration of 2-5 minutes. day and up to 30 min. at night. If vision is fixed on a fireball, then a burn of the fundus occurs.
The severity of burns is divided into 4 degrees:
burns of the first degree / V = 80-160 kJ / m2 / is expressed in soreness, redness, swelling of the skin;
II degree burn / V = 160-400 kJ/m2/ - characterized by the formation of blisters filled with a transparent protein liquid;
Victims recover if no more than 50-60% of the skin is affected;
third degree burns / V = 400-600 kJ/m2/ - necrosis of the skin with partial damage to the germ layer, followed by the formation of ulcers. Cure - in 1.5-2 months;
IV degree burns /-V = 600 kJ/m2/ are formed during prolonged exposure to very high temperatures and are accompanied by tissue charring.
Eye damage by light radiation is possible in 3 types:
Temporary blindness, which can last up to 30 minutes;
Burns of the fundus that occur at a great distance with a direct look at the luminous area of the explosion;
Corneal and eyelid burns occurring at the same distances as skin burns.
Light radiation, depending on the properties of the materials from which buildings and structures are made, causes them to melt, char and ignite.
As a result of the action of light radiation and a shock wave, individual, massive, continuous fires (fires in rubble) and fire storms can occur.
As a result of exposure to light radiation on plants, large forest fires can occur.
4.3. Exposure to penetrating radiation
Penetrating radiation is a stream of gamma radiation and neutrons.
The main source of gamma radiation is the radioactive remnants of fission, contained first in the luminous part, and then carried away by the explosion cloud, the source of neutrons in a nuclear explosion is a fission chain reaction.
The total time of action of the penetrating radiation is 10-15 s, and the distance to which it spreads depends mainly on the power of the explosion and is up to 3 km for a charge with a power of 100 kT.
Penetrating radiation consumes 3.5-4% of the energy of the explosion.
A feature of the effect of penetrating radiation is that up to 80% of the radiation dose is accumulated in a few seconds. The main parameter characterizing the effect of penetrating radiation is the value of the absorbed dose (Ad), in the SI system it is 1Gy, and in the extrasystem 1rad.
Irradiation doses that do not lead to disability:
Single (up to 4 days) -0.5 Gy (50 rad);
Multiple:
within 10-30 days - 1Gy (100 rad);
within 3 months - 2Gy (200 rad);
during the year -3Gy (300 rad).
Exceeding these doses leads to radiation sickness.
During radiation sickness, several periods are usually observed:
The first period is the primary general reaction.
It occurs a few hours after exposure and lasts 1-4 days and manifests itself in the form of a headache, a feeling of heaviness in the head, general weakness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dryness (bitterness) in the mouth.
The second period (hidden) is the apparent clinical well-being. The condition of the patients is improving. Duration from 14-32 days;
The third period (height of radiation sickness) - pronounced clinical manifestations, characterized by a sharp deterioration in well-being, an increase in weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever.
The fourth period is the recovery period.
Radiation sickness of the first (mild) degree develops at an absorbed dose of 1-2 Gy (100-200 rad).
The first phase is missing. After 2-3 weeks, the affected patients experience increased sweating, fatigue, short-term dizziness, mild nausea, dry mouth, and changes in blood composition. The recovery period is 1.5 -2 months.
Radiation sickness of the second (medium) degree develops when receiving a dose of 2-4 Gy (200-400 rad)
The primary reaction appears in the first 2 hours. After irradiation lasts 1-3 days. The hidden period lasts 2-3 weeks.
The peak period of the disease usually lasts 1.5-3 weeks. During this period, patients experience a decrease in appetite, diarrhea, hemorrhages, hair loss, changes in blood composition.
With treatment, the symptoms disappear, hair growth resumes after 1.5-2 months, the treatment lasts 2-2.5 months.
Radiation sickness of the third (severe) degree occurs at doses of 4-6 Gy (400-600 rad).
The initial reaction occurs within the first hour. After 2-3 days, a latent period begins, lasting from several hours to 1-3 weeks. By the end of the latent period, the patient's condition worsens and the peak of the disease begins (severe headache, fever (39-40 ° C), drowsiness, loss of appetite, thirst, indigestion. Bleeding, hair loss, increased heart rate, lower blood pressure, lower leukocytes in the blood).
The recovery period lasts up to 3-6 months. Without treatment, up to 50% die.
Radiation sickness of the fourth (extremely severe) degree develops at doses of more than 6 Gy (600 rad). The primary reaction manifests itself in the first half hour after irradiation. There is no hidden period. Immediately there is a period of peak of the disease. Without treatment, it usually ends in death within the first 10 days.
Penetrating radiation can cause reversible and irreversible changes in materials, elements of radio engineering, electrical engineering, optical and other equipment.
4.4. Exposure to radioactive contamination
Radioactive contamination of the terrain, the surface layer of the atmosphere, air space, water and other objects occurs as a result of the fallout of radioactive substances from the cloud of a nuclear explosion. The most severe contamination of the area occurs during a ground-based nuclear explosion.
Sources of radioactive contamination in a nuclear explosion are:
Fission products (fission fragments) of nuclear explosives (Pu-239, U-235, U-238);
Radioactive isotopes (radionuclides) formed in the soil under the influence of neutrons - induced activity;
The undivided part of a nuclear weapon.
Fission products are an initial mixture of about 80 isotopes of 35 chemical elements of the middle part of the Periodic Table of the Elements of D.I. Mendeleev (from zinc No. 30 to gadolinium No. 64). The primary nuclei of fission fragments subsequently experience 3-4 decays and eventually turn into stable isotopes. In total, up to 300 radionuclides are formed.
The isotopic composition of the mixture of fission fragments depends on the type of nuclear explosive. The induced activity in the soil is due to the formation of a number of radioisotopes under the action of neutrons, such as aluminum - 28, sodium - 24, manganese - 56.
In a nuclear explosion, 5-10% of uranium or plutonium enters into a fission chain reaction, and the rest is dissipated in the surrounding space by the energy of the explosion. So, in an explosion with a power of 20 kT, about 1 kg of uranium or plutonium out of 17.5 kg necessary for the formation of a chain reaction enters into a fission chain reaction.
A characteristic feature of radioactive contamination is that the radioactive products that create it have neither smell nor taste and can be detected only with the help of special instruments, the damaging effect can manifest itself for a long time.
The main quantities characterizing the damaging effect of radioactive contamination are the radiation dose (in the SI system - 1Gy, extrasystem - rad) and the activity of the contamination products (in the SI system - 1 Becquerel (Bq) is equal to one decay per second (1 Ci \u003d 3.7 * 1010 Bq)).
The main value characterizing the degree of radioactive contamination of the area is the dose rate of radiation or the level of radiation.
(in the SI system - 1 Gy / s, off-system - 1 rad / h), as well as the radiation dose received during the stay (in the SI - 1 Gy).
Radioactive contamination of the area during nuclear explosions is created both in the region of the center (epicenter) of the explosion, and along the path of the cloud over long distances.
The main sources of radioactive contamination of the area in the area of the explosion are radioactive products of a nuclear fission reaction and induced activity, and along the way, contamination is formed as a result of fallout from the cloud and dust column of radioactive particles. The zone of contamination of the terrain along the path of the cloud is called the radioactive trace of the cloud.
Radioactive contamination of the area accounts for up to 10% of the energy of a nuclear explosion. Radioactive contamination, like penetrating radiation, does not damage buildings, structures, but affects living organisms.
People, animals, and plants located in contaminated areas are exposed to both external radiation and surface contamination by radioactive substances deposited on clothing, skin, and other substances, the damaging effect of which is due to the presence of beta emitters in them. In addition, together with contaminated air and food, RVs enter the body of humans and animals, causing internal infection.
External gamma irradiation in a radioactively contaminated area, like penetrating radiation, causes radiation sickness in humans and animals. The doses of radiation that cause disease are the same as those from penetrating radiation.
With external exposure to beta particles in humans, skin lesions are most often observed on the arms and neck, on the head, in animals on the back, and also on the muzzle when in contact with radioactively contaminated grass. There are severe skin lesions / non-healing wounds, ulcers /, medium / blisters / and mild / blue and itchy skin / degree.
With internal exposure, the absorbed radioactive products of a nuclear explosion in the body are distributed extremely unevenly. Especially much is concentrated in the thyroid gland /1000-10000 times more than in other tissues/. Therefore, these organs are exposed to radiation in very high doses, leading either to the destruction of tissues, or to the development of tumors, or to a violation of the functions of organs.
4.5. Impact of an electromagnetic pulse
EMP is understood as short-term powerful electromagnetic fields formed during a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere and in higher layers with wavelengths from 1 to 1000 m or more.
EMR is characterized by:
the amplitude of the field strength /electric and magnetic/;
the shape of the impulse.
The electromagnetic pulse /EMP/ does not affect a person.
EMR affects conductive bodies. At the moment of explosion, an electric current pulse appears in them for a fraction of a second and a potential difference appears relative to the ground. Under the influence of these voltages, insulation breakdown occurs, arresters, fuses, etc. fail.
History reference
Basic research on uranium fission reactions began in 1938-39 in Europe.
On March 26, 1939, a meeting of German physicists on the use of nuclear energy for military purposes was held in Berlin at the Army Armaments Administration, after which the Nazi government approved the "Uranium Project" as an integral part of scientific research for military purposes.
In October 1941, the organization for the creation of nuclear weapons was founded in Great Britain.
On June 20, 1942, during a meeting between Roosevelt and Churchill, an agreement was reached to create a bomb on US soil by joint efforts.
On September 13, 1942, the US administration decided to combine all efforts to create atomic weapons by creating a secret organization called the Manhattan Project under the leadership of Colonel of Engineers Leslie Groves and scientific director Robert Oppenheimer.
May 5, 1943. Professor Nishina (Japan) reported to the Air Force command that the creation of an atomic bomb was technically possible, and after that a secret project was launched to create atomic weapons.
On July 16, 1945, at 5:30 a.m., a 20 kt atomic bomb was tested in Death Valley near the Alamogordo airbase.
August 6, 1945 at 8 a.m. 14 min. The atomic bomb ("baby") was dropped on Hiroshima, and on August 9 at 11:02 am. The atomic bomb (“Fat Man”) was dropped on Nagasaki.
Subsequently, nuclear weapons were improved and appeared in other countries: the USSR, England, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea.
The maximum test falls on two periods: the first - 1954-1958, when the explosions were carried out by the USA, the USSR and Great Britain, and the second more significant - in 1961-1962, when they were carried out by the USA and the USSR.
From 1945 to 1963 nuclear powers carried out 498 nuclear explosions in the atmosphere.
In the USSR from 1954-1990. 715 nuclear tests were carried out, 559 of them for military purposes and 156 for peaceful purposes, 456 at the test site in Semipalatinsk and 130 at the test site at Novaya Zemlya.
In 1963, the nuclear powers signed the Treaty on the Limitation of Nuclear Tests in the Atmosphere, Under Water and in Space. Since then, only France and China have carried out air explosions. Underground tests are still being carried out.
Experts believe that nuclear terrorism is now possible.
In 2004, American scientists demonstrated a sample of an atomic bomb without radioactive material in a secret room of the US Senate, assembled from parts bought on the open market.
For the manufacture of a nuclear device with a capacity of 10 kt, 17.5 kg of plutonium, 3-4 specialists and costs from 10-30 thousand dollars are required.
There is currently a black market for the sale of radioactive materials. Sale is carried out in batches from 0.8-29 kg.
It is possible to create a "dirty atomic bomb" - a primitive device in which conventional explosives and radioactive materials will be used. In 1987 in Iraq, such a bomb was created, its height is 4 m, and its weight is more than 1 ton.
5.1. Characteristics of foci of nuclear damage and zones
Introduction
Biological weapons (bacteriological) are a means of mass destruction of people, animals and destruction of agricultural crops. The basis of its damaging effect is bacterial agents, which include pathogens (bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, fungi) and toxins produced by bacteria.
Bacteriological reconnaissance is organized in order to timely reveal the enemy's preparation for the use of BS, establish the fact of their use, determine the type of agents, as well as the extent of contamination of the terrain and air in the troop action zones.
The medical service instructs chemical observation posts and reconnaissance patrols on the rules for sampling for the indication of BS, as well as the performance of complex tasks of bacteriological reconnaissance of foci of bacterial contamination in the zone of action of the troops and the specific indication of BS.
The main activities of bacteriological reconnaissance are:
extraction and receipt of intelligence data on the preparation of the enemy for the use of bacteriological weapons;
constant monitoring of the air and terrain to detect external (direct and indirect) signs indicating the possibility of the enemy using BS;
BS indication aimed at detecting characteristic factors indicating the use of these agents, as well as determining the type of bacterial formulations used;
timely detection and examination of each case of infectious diseases that have appeared among the troops, the population, as well as among farm animals;
establishing the extent of bacterial contamination, as well as identifying local agents that can be used for antibacterial protection.
The continuous collection of intelligence data on the preparation of the enemy for the use of bacteriological weapons is ensured by the efforts of the combined arms headquarters.
Constant monitoring of the air, terrain and water area is carried out by all subdivisions of the troops.
External signs of the use of bacteriological weapons include:
less sharp, unusual sounds of explosions of air bombs, rockets, shells and mines, unusual for conventional ammunition, accompanied by the formation of a cloud, fog or smoke near the surface of the soil;
the appearance of a rapidly disappearing streak of fog or smoke behind an enemy aircraft or along the path of balloons;
the presence of drops of cloudy liquid or deposits of powdery substances, as well as splinters and individual parts of ammunition in places of ammunition ruptures on the soil and surrounding objects;
the appearance on the ground of the remains of unusual bombs, rockets and shells with piston and other devices for creating aerosols;
the presence of unusual for the area clusters of insects, mites and rodent corpses near the site of the fall of bombs or containers.
Under the conditions of the use of bacteriological weapons by the enemy, the possibility of the appearance of infectious diseases before the fact of a bacteriological attack is established, and before the bacterial pathogens of diseases are detected in the external environment, is not ruled out. Under these conditions, the medical service is obliged to conduct a detailed epidemiological examination of the focus of diseases and organize the implementation of the necessary set of anti-epidemic measures.
Carrying out emergency prophylaxis begins immediately after establishing the fact of the use of bacteriological weapons or the appearance among the personnel of mass infectious diseases of unknown etiology.
1 The concept of biological weapons
Biological weapons are special ammunition and combat devices with delivery systems equipped with biological agents.
As biological agents can be used:
1. To defeat people:
Pathogens of bacterial diseases (plague, tularemia, brucellosis, anthrax, cholera);
Causative agents of viral diseases (natural smallpox, yellow fever, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis);
The causative agents of rickettsiosis (typhus, spotted fever of the Rocky Mountains, Kulihoradka);
Causative agents of fungal diseases (coccidioidomycosis, pocardiosis, histoplasmosis);
2. For defeating animals:
Pathogens of foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, swine fever, anthrax, glanders, African swine fever, false rabies and other diseases;
3. To destroy plants:
Causative agents of rust of cereals, late blight of potatoes, late wilt of corn and other crops;
Insect pests of agricultural plants;
Phytotoxicants, defoliants, herbicides and other chemicals.
An essential feature of biological weapons is the presence of a latent period of action, during which the affected remain in the ranks and perform their duties, and then suddenly fall ill.
The latent period can be different, for example, when infected with plague and cholera, it can last from several hours to 3 days, tularemia - up to 6 days, typhus - up to 14 days.
For the delivery of biological agents, the same carriers are used as for nuclear and chemical weapons (air bombs, shells, mines, rockets, aerosol generators and other devices). In addition, bacterial formulations can be applied in a diversionary way.
The main method of using biological agents is considered to be contamination of the surface layer of air. When ammunition explodes or generators work, an aerosol cloud is formed, along the path of which particles of the recipe infect the area. It is possible to use biological agents with the help of insects infected with pathogenic microbes, ticks, rodents, etc.
The use of bacteriological weapons by the enemy can be detected by the following visible external signs:
The formation of an aerosol cloud after the explosion of ammunition or when generators are triggered;
Detection of the remains of special containers, ammunition and other types of weapons;
The presence of a large number of insects, mites, rodents unknown to the area, etc.
Pathogenic microbes cannot be detected by the human senses. This is possible only with the help of technical means of non-specific bacteriological (biological) reconnaissance.
2 Lesion prevention
Pathogens can enter the human body in various ways:
By inhaling contaminated air;
By drinking contaminated water and food;
When microbes enter the bloodstream through open wounds and burn surfaces;
When bitten by infected insects;
Upon contact with sick people, animals, contaminated objects, and not only at the time of the use of biological agents, but also after a long time after their use, if the personnel have not been sanitized.
Common signs of many infectious diseases are high body temperature and significant weakness, as well as their rapid spread, which leads to the occurrence of focal diseases and poisoning.
Direct protection of personnel during the period of a biological attack by the enemy is ensured by the use of individual and collective protective equipment, as well as the use of emergency prophylaxis equipment available in individual first-aid kits.
Personnel located in the focus of biological contamination must not only use protective equipment in a timely and correct manner, but also strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene:
Do not remove personal protective equipment without the permission of the commander;
Do not touch weapons and military equipment and property until they are disinfected;
Do not use water from sources and food products located in the focus of infection;
Do not raise dust, do not walk through bushes and thick grass;
Do not come into contact with the personnel of military units and the civilian population not affected by biological agents and do not transfer food, water, uniforms, equipment and other property to them;
Immediately report to the commander and seek medical help when the first signs of illness appear (headache, malaise, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.).
3 Types and main properties of biological weapons
Pathogenic microorganisms - pathogens of infectious diseases in humans and animals, depending on the size of the structure and biological properties, are divided into the following classes: bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, spirochetes and protozoa. The last two classes of microorganisms as biological means of destruction, according to foreign experts, do not matter.
bacteria- single-celled microorganisms of plant nature, very diverse in their form.
The main forms of bacteria:
Staphylococci
diplococci
streptococci
rod-shaped
Vibrios
Spirilla
Their sizes are from 0.5 to 8-10 microns. Bacteria in vegetative form, i.e. in the form of growth and development, are very sensitive to the effects of high temperature, sunlight, sharp fluctuations in humidity and disinfectants, and, conversely, retain sufficient stability at low temperatures even down to minus 15-25 o C. Some types of bacteria are able to survive in adverse conditions covered with a protective capsule or form a spore. Microbes in spore form are highly resistant to desiccation, nutrient deficiencies, high and low temperatures, and disinfectants.
Of the pathogenic bacteria, the causative agents of anthrax, botulism, tetanus, etc. have the ability to form spores.
According to the literature, almost all types of bacteria used as agents of destruction are relatively easy to grow on artificial nutrient media, and their mass production is possible using equipment and processes used by industry in the production of antibiotics, vitamins, and modern fermentation products.
The class of bacteria includes the causative agents of most of the most dangerous human diseases, such as plague, cholera, anthrax, glanders, meliodiosis, etc.
Viruses are relatively resistant to low temperatures and desiccation. Sunlight, especially ultraviolet rays, as well as temperatures above 60 ° C and disinfectants (formalin, chloramine, etc.) have a detrimental effect on viruses.
Viruses are the cause of more than 75 human diseases, including such highly dangerous ones as smallpox, yellow fever, etc.
Fungi- unicellular or multicellular microorganisms of plant origin. Their sizes are from 3 to 50 microns and more. Fungi can form spores that are highly resistant to freezing, drying, sunlight and disinfectants. Diseases caused by pathogenic fungi are called mycoses. Among them are such severe infectious diseases of people as coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis and other biological) weapons called weapon, striking action weapon Radiological weapon one of the possible types weapons mass destruction. His action based...
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Biological weapons, one of the most terrible inventions in the history of mankind.
Microorganism spores are called biological weapons. As a rule, these are spores of various diseases, viruses, toxins. Such weapons are classified as weapons of mass destruction. This type of weapon, according to the year, is prohibited.
The action of biological weapons is to cause massive damage to enemy manpower. Such weapons directly poison the personnel and the population. Water, livestock or any other animal, agricultural crops can also be exposed to bacteria. Thanks to biological weapons, the side that used it can cause epidemics in the territory of the enemy.
The use of biological weapons
The use of biological weapons is prohibited by the 1925 Geneva Protocol. However, history knows examples of the use of biological weapons. For example, in ancient Rome, during the siege of fortresses, not only stones flew at the defenders of the city, but also the corpses of animals that died from disease. The defenders had nowhere to put the fallen corpses, and the infection spread, the cities perished.
- In 1346, bubonic plague broke out in Europe. They say that Khan Janibek had a hand in spreading the plague. He with troops besieged the city of Kafa, in the Crimea. Unsuccessfully. Leaving, in the end, threw the corpse of a man who died of bubonic plague. The city was a trading city, the merchants themselves unknowingly spread the epidemic throughout the continent.
- In 1763, European settlers actively explored the American continent. They didn't like the local Indians very much. The settlers went to the trick. The Indians were given blankets contaminated with smallpox spores. This is how the young democracy used biological weapons in practice.
- In 1942, the British, during World War II, were going to poison the Germans with anthrax spores. Developed a program, conducted experiments. It has not come to actual use. But the island on which the experiments took place remained in quarantine until 1990.
- Between 1939 and 1945 militarist Japan used bacteriological weapons in China and Mongolia. In Yekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk) in 1979 there was an anthrax epidemic. There is a version that it was an American sabotage.
Defeat by biological weapons
The effect of being hit by bacteriological weapons does not occur immediately. Every virus and bacteria has an incubation period. It is difficult to stop the spread of the virus when it is hit by a bacteriological weapon, because it is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one.
Ways to use bacterial weapons
- Aerosol. This method is simple, it is enough to spray infected particles in the air. The wind will spread the spores over a large area, the damage will be colossal.
- Insects. Cunning, labor-intensive, but effective. The way to use a bacterial weapon would be to infect blood-sucking insects.
- Diversionary. This method includes contamination of reservoirs, water pipes, wells.
Biological weapons examples and types
Examples of biological weapons are diseases that can cause an epidemic among the population. For example, such as: cholera, bubonic plague, smallpox and anthrax.
Action of biological weapons
The effect of biological weapons is the spread of pathogens: terrible, deadly, fast-flowing diseases - botulism, cholera, plague, anthrax. These are terrible diseases against which it is very difficult even for modern medicine.
Bioweapon Protection
Biological weapons are deadly, and it is catastrophically difficult to defend against them. The best remedies are vaccines and antibiotics. When attacking an enemy using such substances, it is worth using individual and collective means of protection. Respirators, masks, gas masks - are personal protective equipment. To the collective - bunkers, shelters, which for a long time can be on autonomous service.
To prevent the spread of infection, the population is forcibly vaccinated. The facilities are sanitized. They introduce strict control over the movement of citizens from the focus of the lesion. Biological weapons conclusions Biological weapons - violates the rules of warfare, contrary to all humane principles of the world order. Therefore, the use of such weapons is prohibited by international agreements.
biological weapons documentary
Chapter 5
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AND PROTECTION AGAINST THEM
5. 1 The concept of biological weapons
Biological weapons (BO) - one of the types of weapons of mass destruction, the action of which is based on the use of the damaging properties of biological agents (BS). It includes munitions and devices with delivery systems equipped with biological agents and is intended for mass destruction of people, farm animals and plants.
Biological agents include specially selected microbes (bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, fungi) and certain microbial or artificially created toxins.
Biological munitions and devices are special devices designed to place a biological formulation, spray it when these devices are triggered in order to infect the surface air layer with an aerosol of biological agents (an aerosol is a suspension of particles in the air). In addition, there may be special devices for containment of infected insect vectors and their distribution after actuation (opening) in the target area.
Infection of people and animals can occur through inhaled air, ingested water and food, bites of infected insects (fleas, mosquitoes, lice, ticks), as well as through communication between healthy people and sick people.
The damage to plants occurs as a result of BS settling on them from a passing aerosol cloud.
One of the features of biological agents is the presence of a latent (incubation) period, during which the affected do not show signs of illness, and then suddenly fall ill with varying degrees of severity, up to death.
The following pathogens can be used as biological agents:
To hit people:
a) bacteria of plague, tularemia, brucellosis, anthrax, cholera, glanders, etc.;
b) viruses of natural smallpox, yellow fever, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, etc.;
c) Rickettsia typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, etc.;
d) fungi of coccidioidomycosis, pocardiosis, etc.
For the defeat of animals - pathogens of foot and mouth disease, rinderpest, swine fever, tularemia, anthrax, glanders, African swine fever, false rabies, etc.
To kill plants:
a) pathogens of cereals, potato late blight, rice blast, late wilt of corn and other crops;
b) insects - pests of agricultural plants.
Delivery means can be:
Intercontinental ballistic missiles (range up to 12,000 km);
Medium-range ballistic missiles (from 500 to 5000 km);
Short-range ballistic missiles (less than 500 km);
Air, land and sea based cruise missiles of various ranges;
Strategic aviation aircraft - strategic bombers;
Tactical aircraft: fighter-bombers, attack aircraft, multirole fighters.
All of these delivery vehicles are capable of using cluster biological munitions, which can be opened both in the horizontal flight of aircraft and cruise missiles, and during flight along an inclined trajectory of aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
In addition, cruise missiles and aircraft can be equipped with tank-type ammunition due to their ability to spray a biological formulation when flying parallel to the earth's surface at low altitudes.
In foreign literature, the following three methods of using biological weapons are distinguished:
Spraying of biological formulations from munitions of cluster and tank types for contamination of the ground layer of air with biological means - aerosol method;
Dispersal of blood-sucking carriers (fleas, mosquitoes, lice, ticks) artificially infected with biological means in the target area with special ammunition is a transmissible method;
Biological contamination of air, water, food with the help of sabotage equipment is a sabotage method.
Signs of the use of biological weapons can be of two types: direct and indirect.
The direct ones include the operation of a special device that gives signals about the use of BO.
Indirect signs may be the following facts:
The flight of a cruise missile or an aircraft of tactical or strategic aviation at an altitude of 50-150 m in the direction of the location of the unit (subdivision) from where the wind blows is made with inversion or isotherm, and. no clear signs of the use of another type of weapon were found;
Behind a low-flying aircraft or cruise missile, a rarefied plume of an aerosol cloud is found in the form of fog or smoke (clearly visible at night in the searchlight beam);
At the location of the unit (subdivision) or at some distance (regardless of the direction of the wind) there were numerous "deaf" explosions in the form of pops with the formation of rarefied aerosol clouds of fog or smoke, which quickly dissipate in the direction of the wind; at the same time, no signs of damage by the type of chemical weapon (instant manifestation of poisoning) are detected; unexploded spherical bombs with a diameter of about 10 cm or in the form of shortened cylinders of similar sizes weighing about 0.5-1 kg were found;
Around the places of deaf explosions, the following were found: thin-walled fragments of light metal alloys or plastics, remains of parts of threaded connections, ribs (nodules) in the form of impeller elements on fragments of cases;
Containers with a heat-shielding coating and a parachute system with signs of delivered insects were found.
The damaging effect of BO does not appear immediately, but after a certain time (latent period). Most often, the latent period lasts from 2 to 5 days and even several weeks (rarely 1 day or less). Throughout this period, the personnel remain combat-ready, sometimes not even suspecting that the infection has taken place.
After the expiration of the incubation period, the first signs of the disease appear: headache, malaise, fever, vomiting, etc. In the absence of timely treatment, the disease ends either in death or the withdrawal of the affected person from a combat-ready state for a long time. With timely treatment, the affected, as a rule, return to duty. Biological weapons may have a weak fragmentation effect when cluster biological bombs explode at a short distance from personnel. The penetrating power of the fragments is negligible.
5.2 Protection against biological weapons
The defense system against BO mainly includes four groups of measures: tactical measures: reconnaissance, preparation for the use of BO, shelter and camouflage of troops, engineering equipment of areas and positions, alerting troops, etc.
Physical protection of personnel: the use of individual and collective protective equipment. At the same time, success will depend on the timeliness of the use of these funds, their serviceability and tightness.
If there was no gas mask or respirator at hand, then at first, to protect the respiratory organs, you can use gauze, a towel or handkerchief folded in several layers, which must first be moistened;
Medical protection of personnel: vaccination, emergency general and special prevention, isolation and restrictive measures (observation and quarantine), medical evacuation measures (to medical centers and hospitals), etc.;
Special treatment of troops and disinfection measures.
Measures to protect against biological weapons carried out before a biological attack (in daily combat activities):
Hygienic education of soldiers and sergeants (hardening the body, using only proven food and drinking sources, developing skills according to the rules for treating any cuts, wounds, etc.);
Immunization of personnel against those diseases, the causative agents of which, according to intelligence, can be used by the enemy as biological agents;
Providing personnel with personal protective equipment. Each soldier and sergeant must always have an individual first-aid kit, a gas mask and a protective suit with him. All protective equipment must be in good working order, sized and ready for use;
Observation of the airspace and the location of the unit (subunit) in order to identify signs of a biological attack, recording the time and coordinates of the detection of signs.
With the receipt of data (information) on the presence of signs of a biological attack, it is necessary:
Report to commander immediately;
All personnel of the department, on command, wear personal protective equipment;
To carry out the preparation of the equipment, equipment, instruments and means available in the department for the upcoming implementation of further measures related to the performance of combat missions and the elimination of the consequences of the use of BO;
Act as directed by your superior commander.
After the use of BO by the enemy, the personnel of the subunits continue to perform the assigned combat missions using individual and collective protection equipment.
Since the squads do not have instruments to indicate that the biological hazard no longer exists, after a biological attack, personnel continue to wear personal protective equipment until they are instructed by a higher commander to remove them.
Personnel stationed in shelters or buildings that are infected with BS must wear personal protective equipment until leaving the premises or until it is disinfected.
After a biological attack, by order of the higher command, the “observation” regime may be introduced first, and after a while, if necessary, “quarantine”.
The reservation includes:
Restriction of communication with the personnel of neighboring units, the local population and movement through the source of infection;
Prohibition of the export of property without disinfection and the departure of personnel from the area of infection without emergency prevention and complete sanitization;
Conducting emergency prophylaxis of personnel with antibiotics and other drugs;
Observation, isolation and hospitalization of identified patients, their treatment, etc.
Quarantine, in addition to activities carried out during observation, additionally includes:
Armed guards (cordon) of the area of infection;
Organization of commandant service to ensure quarantine rules;
complete isolation of quarantine personnel from other troops and the population;
Placement of the affected personnel in small groups with a strict regime of behavior, nutrition and compliance with quarantine rules.
In addition to the measures considered, after the use of BO, special processing of troops is carried out in two stages: immediately after the use of BO, partial special processing, and subsequently - complete.
Partial special treatment is carried out by personnel by order of the commanders of units (subdivisions) as soon as possible without stopping the performance of combat missions and includes partial sanitization of personnel, as well as partial disinfection of weapons and military equipment. Partial sanitization consists in removing the BS from the southern covers, PPE and shoes by washing them with water or wiping with wet swabs, followed by treatment with disinfectant solutions. Particular attention should be paid to the careful treatment of exposed skin and the front of the gas mask.
Partial disinfection of weapons and military equipment consists in disinfecting with disinfectant solutions those surface areas with which personnel come into contact when performing combat missions. Individual weapons and other small personal items are fully processed.
Full special processing is carried out according to certain rules with the permission of the commander of the formation (unit) after completing combat missions and should provide personnel with the opportunity to operate without PPE.
In addition to special treatment, disinfection of material assets, terrain, roads, crossings and structures is carried out.
The processing of large areas of terrain is impossible, but areas of terrain, roads, crossings, etc., important in relation to the conduct of hostilities, are processed by units of the RCB protection troops.
Actions of the squad leader when the enemy uses biological weapons.
The commander, having received a signal (subordinate report) about the appearance of signs of the use of BO:
Immediately reports this to his commander, gives a command to subordinates and puts on personal protective equipment himself;
Organizes and supervises the performance of duties by the personnel of the department;
Reports to the commander on the implementation of protective measures.
Biological weapons of mass destruction (BW) are designed to destroy the personnel of military units, the population, animals, agricultural land, damage water sources, military equipment and certain types of weapons on enemy territory.
Biochemical weapons are represented by toxins, viruses, microorganisms and the consequences of their vital activity. It is delivered by all types of rocket and artillery weapons, aviation. Spread by disease vectors (humans, animals, natural processes).
The use of biological weapons of mass destruction in history
Viruses have been used as weapons of mass destruction since time immemorial. Below is a table that lists the first reports of biological weapons used by adversaries in military conflicts.
| Date, year | Event |
| 3rd century BC | Historians have confirmed the fact of the use of "natural" biological weapons. During the sieges of fortresses and fortified settlements, the soldiers of the great commander of that time, Hannibal from Carthage, enclosed poisonous snakes in clay containers and transferred them to the enemy’s territory. Along with the defeat of the defenders by the bites of reptiles, panic reigned and the will to win was humiliated |
| 1346 | The first experience of using biological means of exterminating the population by spreading the plague. During the siege of Kafa (today - Feodosia, Crimea), the Mongols were subjected to a biological epidemic of this disease. They are forced to retreat, but before that, the corpses of their patients were moved through the city walls, provoking the death of the defenders of the fortress |
| 1518 | The statehood of the Aztecs, like themselves, was destroyed with the help of smallpox, which was introduced by the Spaniard-conquistador E. Cortes. The rapid spread of the disease was ensured by the mass transfer of things to the natives, previously owned by patients on the mainland. |
| 1675 | It became possible to study the microprocesses of reproduction, mutations of pathogens, since the first microscope was invented by a doctor from Holland A. Leveguk |
| 1710 | Russian-Swedish war. Plague is again used for military purposes. The Russians won, including by infecting the enemy’s manpower, through the bodies of their own soldiers who died from a plague infection |
| 1767 | Anglo-French military confrontation. British General D. Amherst destroyed the Indians supporting the French by giving them blankets infected with smallpox |
| 1855 | L. Pasteur (French scientist) began an era of discoveries in microbiology |
| 1915 | World War I. The Allies, the French and Germans, used the technique of infecting animals with anthrax. Herds of horses and cows were vaccinated and driven to enemy territory |
| 1925 | The consequences of the use of biological weapons, the inability to control the processes associated with them, forced the leading countries of the world to sign the Geneva Convention banning its use for military purposes. Only the United States and Japan did not join the Convention |
| 1930-1940 | Japanese military scientists are conducting massive experiments in China. The fact of the death of several hundred people in the city of Chushen from bubonic plague, where the infection occurred as a result of the Japanese experiment, has been historically proven. |
| 1942 | The fact of experimental infection of sheep with anthrax on a remote island near Scotland has been established. It was not possible to stop the experiment. To avoid further spread of the disease, it was necessary to destroy all life on the island with napalm. |
| 1943 | The year when the United States took up the creation of biological weapons. The Pentagon decided to use viruses invisible to the human eye as a weapon of mass destruction |
| 1969 | U.S. officials unilaterally declare no further use of biological weapons |
| 1972 | The Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention was adopted. The development, production and any operations with such weapons are prohibited. Entry into force delayed |
| 1973 | America's declaration to destroy all biological weapons, except for a small number for experimental purposes |
| 1975 | Convention entered into force |
| 1979 | In Yekaterinburg (formerly Sverdlovsk), an anthrax outbreak that claimed 64 human lives. The disease was localized in a short time. The exact reason has not been officially announced. |
| 1980 | The world knew that smallpox had been eradicated |
| 1980-1988 | Confrontation between Iran and Iraq. Biological weapons used by both sides |
| 1993 | Attempted terrorist attack with anthrax in the Tokyo subway by extremists of the organization "Aum Shinrikyo" |
| 1998 | States Initiate Mandatory Anthrax Vaccination for Military Personnel |
| 2001 | USA. Terrorists send letters with anthrax spores, as a result of which several American citizens were infected and died. |
The history of the creation of biological weapons and their use, as can be seen from the above table, has many facts of the use of combat viruses.
Definition and classification of biological weapons
Biological weapons are distinguished from other types of mass destructive weapons by the following:
- Biological bomb causes epidemics. The use of BO is accompanied by massive contamination of living beings and territories in a short amount of time;
- Toxicity. Small doses of the causative agent of the disease are needed to defeat;
- Propagation speed. The transfer of BO components is carried out through the air, direct contacts, mediation by objects, and so on;
- incubation period. The appearance of the first signs of the disease can be observed after a long period of time;
- Conservation. In certain states, pathogens have a long latent period before activation conditions arise;
- Area of infection. BW propagation simulation showed that even aerosols in limited quantities can infect targets at a distance of up to 700.0 km;
- Psychological action. Panic, people's fear for their own lives, and the inability to perform daily tasks have always been recorded in areas where weapons of this nature have been used.
Types of biological weapons (briefly)
To understand what is included in the composition of biological weapons, it is enough to familiarize yourself with the data given in the table.
| Name | Description | A photo |
| smallpox | The disease is caused by the variola virus. Lethal outcome in 30.0% of infected people. Accompanied by a critically high temperature, rash, ulcers. |
|
| Anthrax | BO class "A". A comfortable environment for bacteria is soil. Animals become infected through contact with grass, and humans through inhalation or ingestion. Symptoms: fever, difficulty breathing, enlarged lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. The mortality rate is high. |
|
| Ebola hemorrhagic fever | The course of the disease is represented by heavy bleeding. Infection occurs from contact with the patient's blood or secretions. Incubation from two to twenty-one days. Symptoms: pain in muscles, joints, diarrhea, bleeding of internal organs. Mortality 60.0-90.0%, with incubation 7-16 days. |
|
| Plague | It exists in two forms: bubonic and pulmonary. It is spread by insects and direct contact with the secretions of the patient. Symptoms: swelling of the inguinal glands, fever, chills, weakness, and so on. Their first appearance in one to six days. Mortality 70.0% if treatment is not started for the first day of infection. |
|
| Tularemia | Infection occurs through insect bites, contact with sick animals, or after consumption of contaminated foods. Symptoms: progressive weakness, joint and muscle pain, diarrhea and sometimes similar to pneumonia. Symptoms appear after three to five days. Lethality no more than 5.0% |
|
| Botulinum toxin | Belongs to class "A". Transmitted by airborne droplets. Symptoms appear within a day and a half and are represented by: a violation of the visual organs, difficulty swallowing. Without immediate treatment causes paralysis of the muscles and respiratory system. Lethality 70.0% |
|
| rice blast | The action is aimed at the defeat of agricultural crops. The disease is caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae. There are over 200 strains. |
|
| Rinderpest | The disease spreads to all types of ruminants. The infection comes on quickly. Symptoms: changes in the mucous membranes, diarrhea, high fever, loss of the ability to eat, and the like. Death due to dehydration after six to ten days. Livestock with infected animals is destroyed. |
|
| The carrier of the virus has not yet been identified. It appeared in 1999 in Malaysia, where the outbreak infected 265 people, with a fatal outcome in 105 cases. Symptoms: from influenza to brain replenishment. Death with a 50% probability within 6-10 days. |
|
|
| Chimera virus | They can be created by combining the DNA of different viruses. For example: colds and polio; smallpox - Ebola and the like. Cases of application are not recorded. The consequences are not predictable. |
|
WMD protection
Protection against weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is represented by a set of measures aimed at minimizing the impact of enemy bacteriological (nuclear, chemical, biological) weapons on residents, military formations, economic facilities, and the environment.
Events involve:
- reconnaissance units of all branches of the armed forces;
- engineering, motorized rifle units;
- military (civilian) physicians;
- chemical, veterinary and other services;
- management of administrations and enterprises and other officials, where their duties are related to the population.
Protection of the population. It provides:
- teaching the basics of WMD;
- construction of protective structures;
- pre-preparation of food and essentials;
- evacuation of the population to suburban areas;
- timely notification;
- rescue operations;
- providing medical assistance to victims;
- provision of personal protective equipment;
- monitoring of the state of the area, reconnaissance and change control.
Farm Animal Protection includes:
- dispersal of the animal fund among farms with air filtration equipment;
- feed and water preparation;
- processing by veterinary means;
- organization of work to prevent recurrence of infections;
- vaccination, other means of preventing infection;
- monitoring of the state and timely detection of deviations from the norm of health.
plant protection presented:
- growing crops resistant to harmful environments;
- measures to preserve the seed fund;
- carrying out preventive measures;
- destruction of areas where crops could receive pathogenic effects due to the use of agents and biological agents.
Food Protection:
- equipment of storage facilities, taking into account the possible use of weapons of mass destruction;
- dispersal of available food stocks;
- moving in specially equipped wagons;
- use of special packaging;
- carrying out activities for decontamination (disinfection) of food and packaging.
Protection of water sources presented:
- when organizing centralized water supply, take into account the likelihood of using WMD;
- open water sources deepen;
- systems are equipped with additional special filters;
- preparation of reserve watercourses is underway;
- their round-the-clock protection is organized;
- a constant check of the state of water is carried out with an in-depth analysis.
Timely receipt of intelligence information about WMD, which includes all types of biological weapons, from the enemy significantly reduces the onset of possible consequences, gives time to carry out comprehensive protective measures.
Biological Weapons Convention
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological Weapons of Mass Destruction (Modern Biological Weapons) and on Their Destruction (BTWC) is the result of many years of international activity after the Protocol adopted in Geneva (signed on 06/17/1925, entered into force on 02/08/1928) on the prohibition of the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other similar gases and bacteriological agents (Geneva Protocol).
countries have signed the terms of the BTWC
The terms of the BTWC (signed on 04/10/1972, entered into force on 03/26/1975) have been adopted in 163 countries. The United States joined the BTWC in 1972, but refused to sign protocols that provide for a number of measures to control its implementation.
Further work of the international community in organizing BTWC events is based on the results of the Review Conferences:
| the date | Decision |
| 1986 | Annual report on the measures taken by the participating countries. |
| 1991 | VEREX expert group established |
| 1995-2001 | Negotiation process on a system for monitoring compliance with the requirements of the Convention |
| 2003 | The issue of an interstate mechanism for ensuring the safety of biological weapons was considered |
| 2004 | They discussed international measures to investigate the alleged use of BW and mitigate the consequences. At the same time, the powers of international institutions in detecting outbreaks of infections have been expanded. |
| 2005 | The provisions of the Code of Response and Conduct of the scientific community have been approved. |
| 2006 | The final text of the Declaration was adopted and a decision was made for the further implementation of the BTWC. |
To date, effective control mechanisms have not been established to verify information about the absence of development of biological weapons. With a certain degree of confidence, it can be argued that such research has not been stopped by specialists from certain foreign states. For example, NATO laboratories are developing a biological rifle with explosive bullets that can create local foci of bacteriological contamination of enemy military units.
This is evidenced by periodic outbreaks of epidemic diseases in different parts of the world. But the mechanisms of international deterrence guarantee the security of the population of Russia.
