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The most effective biological agents are those that are difficult to detect before large numbers of people have been infected. If an attack were to be detected early on, these agents could either be found in using advanced detection devices, after testing specifically for the agent, or by a doctor who notices early symptoms in an exposed patient. In many cases, animals are the first victims to show signs of exposure, so pets and livestock should be monitored for symptoms as well.

Early detection, when possible, is greatly preferred. It allows for early and specific treatment for those who have been exposed, even before they show symptoms, and also provides enough time to treat those who may have been exposed. Currently, the U.S. Department of Defense is experimenting with devices designed to detect aerosol clouds of biological agents in the atmosphere.

When early detection in an environment is not possible, doctors must have the ability and knowledge to identify early victims and recognize patterns of infection. A biological attack may reveal itself in the form of unusual symptoms, large numbers of people showing the same symptoms, large numbers of animal deaths, or other events that may be uncommon and inconsistent, and these occurrences must be reported to public health officials as soon as possible.

While bioterrorism should ideally be prevented altogether and hopefully be detected before many people become ill, in the case of a widespread outbreak measures should be taken to protect the population. Protective vaccines are available for anthrax, Q fever, and smallpox, even though the rarity of these diseases makes mass inoculation impractical. The best treatment for victims of bioterrorism stands as oral or intravenous antibiotics, which should always be given even before the specific agent involved in the exposure is identified.

Detecting a Biological Attack

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