Citation

Michel P, Attree O, Mage R, Tournier JN, Quesnel-Hellmann A. Ann. Pharm. Fr. 2000; 58(1): 29-34.

Vernacular Title

Risque biologique naturel et risque biologique militaire.

Affiliation

Unité d'Immunobiologie, Centre de Recherches du Service de Santé des Armées BP 87 F/38702 La Tronche Cedex.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10669810

Abstract

The Iraqi biological program, the activities of sect Aum in Japan and the extensive endemicity of plague prove the existence of military, terrorist and natural biological risks. Among the agents of natural risk (viruses, bacteria.), plague is induced by modification of the ecosystem. Present since 1921 in the high plateau of Madagaskar, the disease evolves under two modes, endemic (natural) or epidemic (urban). Since the control of endemicity is impossible, the decrease of incidence will be obtained by the control of the animal reservoir. The military risk is part of the history of armed conquests. Anthrax and botulinum toxins, are the most toxic agents, banned by the Convention of London (1972). In 1995, 4 years after the end of Gulf war, UNSCOM obtained from authorities the inventory of Iraqi biological program, with details on the militarization of toxins and spores. These furtive weapons, are produced with limited technological skills, often in dual manufactures and are difficult to control.

Language: fr