M Faraz, T F Arishiya (2011) Dental Professionals and Bioterrorism. The Forensic Oral Pathology Journal 2: 3. 9-20 2011 Abstract: Bioterrorism is entrenched in the ancient past. The twentieth century, with its major and minor attacks saw the research and development of biological weapons which are capable of immune destruction to life. The opening years of this new millennium have presented a new and worrisome prospect to the community, the threat of fatal infectious diseases from biological agents which are being deliberately released. The events surrounding September 11, 2001 (â9/11â) and its aftermath attacks with Bacillus anthracis have raised the specter of the use of biological agents as weapons. Bioterrorist actions, natural catastrophes and emerging infectious diseases can quickly overwhelm the existing medical capacity. Surge demands usually arise in an unpredicted location, placing great burden on existing local and regional emergency system. Clearly, a surge response resource is needed to fulfill this demand. With little additional skills and training the dental professionals would be valuable additions to clear of such demands. This article attempts to provide a perspective on the threat of bioterrorism, the consequences of its use, the likely biological agents that may be used, and their pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management of the patients infected and the surveillance response.
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